Jim Kowalski Plane Crash Accident Kills Founder Of Kowalski’s Markets

Jim Kowalski died in a plane crash accident this Thursday morning.

Jim Kowalski was the founder of Kowalski’s Markets, a popular grocery story chain in metro areas.

There is some sort of confusion over how exactly Jim Kowalski died. Reports are claiming a Jim Kowalski plane crash but family spokeswoman Deb Kowalski says, “It was not a [plane] crash, and we don’t exactly know how it happened.”

Mike Oase, vice president of operations for Kowalski’s Markets, says he believes the Jim Kowalski plane accident was a head injury sustained on a private plane while still on the ground.

Jim Kowalski was in Canada for a fishing trip with a fellow pilot. The friend says he “heard a noise, and [Jim Kowalski] was gone.]

Jim Kowalski started his grocery chain in 1983 in St. Paul, eventually opening nine markets that employ 1,200 people. Jim Kowalski was known as being a great boss to work for and even earned several employer of the year awards. Jim Kowalski was awarded in 2011 as the “nation’s outstanding independent community-based retailer by Progressive Grocer.”

Even the competitors of Jim Kowalski are saddened by the plane accident death:

“We are in a state of shock and sadness. Jim was a great businessman and merchant, and he is going to be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate to know him.”

After Jim Kowalski’s plane accident the family has said very little and they prefer to be left alone to mourn.