By Carol Fisher-Linn
Remembered by many for his sense of adventure, fun, and laughter…
With heavy hearts, the family of Buffalo born Norman J. (Korky) Kantowski announced his passing on July 21, 2023, while vacationing with his wife of 58 years, Cammille, and his family in Chaumont, N.Y. Korky was 87, going on “young at heart.”
professional career
in media sales and Sales
Management. He was
Publisher of Buffalo Business
First, then went on
to Hadley Exhibits from
which he retired in 2001.
In speaking with Cammille, it was truly heartwarming to recognize the joy she holds in her heart for being an intimate part of Korky’s life for 59 years. Her inner poet emerged when she said, “I’m not a puddle of tears – I am grateful for the years.” “We had a wonderful life together,” said she. “He had a great life surrounded by people who adored him.”
Korky loved his alma maters, Canisius High School and College. Cammille relates his saying (jokingly) that Canisius kept him out of jail as a teenager, because he was so often in “The Jug” (detention) for misdeeds at school.
Korky witnessed the growth of Holiday Valley from its first season in 1958 to the gradual evolution of the village of Ellicottville from a quiet country village to a bustling four-season tourist destination. He came to Ellicottville at the invitation of a friend (Jim Weimer) who wanted to try out the new ski area that had just opened. One lesson, one day of skiing and the die was cast – he crossed his Rubicon and never looked back. Korky became an avid skier, finishing off last winter’s season in true style after 55 years on the slopes, skiing and teaching. It was through skiing with the Ellicottville Ski Club that, in 1964, he was introduced to Cammille who married him one year later. Camille says a high point in her life was the day they were sitting by the fire at the Ski Club when he reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring and asked her to marry him. And their adventure together began.
Korky enjoyed a successful professional career in media sales and Sales Management. He was Publisher of Buffalo Business First, then went on to Hadley Exhibits from which he retired in 2001.
His enthusiasm for life never waned, even after he and Camille stopped sailboat racing, which they did for over 30 years. In 1992 he began a new hobby – wooden boat refinishing. Of course, he knew nothing about boat refinishing, but with the help of many of his boat club pals, he learned on the go, and true to character, loved it.
Speaking to people who knew him, the one thing that stands out is his willingness to help. He was always the go-to guy at Holiday Valley for the wine and cheese giveaway after the Winter Carnival parade, along with his longtime friend, Bob Schmidt.
His friendship with Joey “D”, (Joey DiPasquale) was legendary and one can only wonder what those two rascals are up to on their new adventure into eternity.
I share with you, comments from those who knew Korky well:
Dennis Eshbaugh:
“I called and talked to Camille when I heard about Korky’s passing. She talked about how he was such a good man as a father, as a husband and as a friend. Our conversation ended up as not just condolences for her loss, but she actually made me feel better. Korky would frequently write me not to ask for favors for himself, but to acknowledge the positive things that Holiday Valley was doing that made skiing better for all. He had perspective that went way beyond what was in it for Korky. I felt that the priest at Korky’s funeral was insightful in quoting Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Korky was the perfect example of that.”
Jane Eshbaugh added this … “Korky was an invaluable resource about Holiday Valley’s history, especially when we were celebrating our 50th anniversary. We made a video of a conversation between Edna Northrup, Ted LaCroix, Peter Widger and Korky. It was a great exchange with plenty of stories and laughs about the old days. Korky told the story about his first night he spent in Ellicottville at the Edelweiss Lodge where he woke up in the morning and surprised to find he had been sharing the bed with another person. Ended up it was Dick Ferrick and they became great friends. When I think about Korky, he makes me smile. His smile was infectious, and he made you feel good about yourself.”
And finally, from Holiday Valley: Ron Kubicki was the Ski School Director for several of the years that Korky taught skiing. He remembers Korky arriving at every meeting with a smile. He lived and represented everything good about alpine skiing and ski instruction.
A Celebration of Life was held this past Friday. It was filled with laughter, singing Ellicottvlle Ski Club songs, and single malt scotch toasts.
Besides his wife, Cammille, Korky is survived by children Theresa K Martens (Clark), Susan K Weber (Britt), four grandchildren, twins, Peter and Colin, and twins, Anna and Alex, as well as loving nieces, nephews and friends.