Jon David Kalinowski

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Jon David Kalinowski lost his courageous battle with cancer and went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by family and friends. A native Delawarean, Jon was born in Wilmington on July 9, 1956 to George W. and Elizabeth L. (Sellers) Kalinowski. Jon graduated in 1974 from William Penn High School, where he lettered in football and track. After graduation, he attended the University of Delaware. Jon served 3 years in the U.S. Navy, stationed out of Charleston, SC aboard the USS Illusive MSO 448. During that time, he received a Battle Efficiency Award and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Jon was particularly proud of his participation in the Cuban Refugee rescue effort in 1980, for which he received the Humanitarian Service Medal. Jon later served as Quartermaster and diver for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aboard the NOAA Ship Whiting, stationed out of Norfolk, VA. His time with the Navy and NOAA afforded Jon the opportunity to travel the world and fostered a quest for knowledge in a variety of interests, many of which became lifelong hobbies. He was an accomplished diver and seaman; a skill set which he would use and share to the benefit of others his whole life. After his time at sea, Jon worked at Delmarva Power before joining the Dupont Company in 1989. While employed with Dupont, Jon most recently worked in Packaging and Industrial Polymers as a Senior Research Lab Technician at the Chestnut Run site. He was known and respected for his conscientious and meticulous work habit. Jon was an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast. From hunting, fishing, trapshooting and crabbing to martial arts, surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding– he did it all, but he especially enjoyed his time coaching his son and daughter at Canal Little League. He was knowledgeable of the game and a considerate and patient coach, promoting a greater confidence in each of the players no matter their skill level. Most of all, Jon treasured time spent with family and friends and felt especially blessed to have met and spent time with his grandson, Theo. Jon was a man of integrity, hard-working and generous and knowledgeable on a wide range of topics. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Jon is survived by his wife of 24 years, Catherine A. Downs; his son, Daniel; his daughter, Kathryn; his grandson, Theo George Muller; his mother, Elizabeth Betty Kalinowski; his sister, Beth Beale (husband Barry and their daughters, Susanne and Rebecca); his sister, Jill Bleyer (husband J. Anthony Tony and their son, William); his brother, Thomas; and his brother, Mark (wife, Nell). Jon was preceded in death by his father, George and his brother, William. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Pamela Simpson and the dedicated staff at Regional Hematology & Oncology, PA at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and the Compassionate Care Hospice team for their care and kindness and support of Jon and his wife, Cathy. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, October 7, 2016 from 10 a.m. to noon at Love of Christ Church, 2157 Bear Corbitt Road, Bear, DE 19701. A memorial service in celebration of Jon’s life will follow at noon. Interment will be held privately at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Helen F Graham Cancer Center, c/o Christiana Care, P.O. Box 1668, Wilmington, DE 19899 or Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 407, Camden, DE 19934-0407.