John R. "Jack" Kowatch, 71, of Auburn, died Friday, February 14, 2012, at his residence, following a short illness. Jack was a life resident of the Auburn area, the son of the late John and Mary Gera Kowatch. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served on the S.S.S. Intrepid. He worked at Cayuga Community College until his retirement in 1998. Prior to that, he was employed by Auburn Plastics. He was a communicant of Ss Peter & Paul Church. Jack loved spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, the former Janice Dellow, his children and their spouses, John and Cindy Kowatch and Beth and Rob Westmiller, all of Auburn, his grandsons Michael and Jonathan Westmiller, and great grandsons Gavin and Easton Verdi. Also surviving are his brothers George of Auburn and David of Fulton, sisters Marion (Michael) Picciano of Weedsport, and Joan (Henry) MacDonald of Union Springs, and several nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to call Monday from 4 to 7 P.M., at the Plis Funeral Home, 220 State St. Funeral services will be at 9 A.M. Tuesday from the funeral home, and 9:30 A.M. in SS Peter & Paul Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Contributions may be made in his memory to SS Peter & Paul Church, or the Finger Lakes S.P.C.A. Read John Kowatch's Obituary and Guestbook on www.plisfuneralhome.com.