By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Bill Kotowski lost his life in 2003. But with the work of some friends and family, his legacy will be tied to saving lives.

KEEPING HIS MEMORY ALIVE - Bill Kotowski of Hooksett, shown in happier days with his nephew, Greg Uliasz. A rescue boat is being bought in Kotowski's memory since he loved sailing. (Courtesy Photo)

Kotowski, a Hooksett resident, died of a brain tumor in 2003. In April of this year, some friends and family have been generating money to sponsor a rescue boat in his name.

"Sailing was one of Bill's favorite things to do," said Linda Hadlock, one of nine people who've been actively raising money, and Kotowski's friend since high school. "He was such a giving person, and we just wanted to find a way to give something back."

The group has already generated more than $12,000 since April, $10,000 of which will be used to purchase a rescue boat to be operated by the Courageous Sailing Center of Boston. The nonprofit center provides free sailing lessons to inner-city youth. Kotowski's friends, having already reached their initial goal, now hope to raise another $4,000 to buy a motor for the boat.

"We wanted to do something that represented Bill," Hadlock said. "It's been a tremendous response so far."

Perhaps the group has had so much luck in fundraising because, by all accounts, Kotowski was such a likable person with a great sense of humor.

"He was always around if there was a meal to eat or a party," said Kotowski's sister, Lori Uliasz.

Uliasz added that one of the biggest fears her brother had was that he would have no legacy; Kotowski was unmarried and without children.

"It's been so gratifying to see people's responses to this," she said. "Sometimes we don't get to tell people how we feel about them when they're here."

Kotowski was just 44 years old when he passed away, but continued working as a drafting and design engineer until two months before his death. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and worked as an air traffic controller at Pease Air Force Base in Rockingham County. Kotowski is now buried at a veterans. cemetery in Tilton.

Aside from sailing, Kotowski loved Chevrolet Corvettes. He was a member of the Corvette Club of New Hampshire, a group that restores and shows old Corvettes.

Hadlock and Uliasz agreed that right up until the end, Kotowski stayed positive, maintained his interests, and never lost his sense of humor.

"He was a real comedian - always making everyone laugh," Hadlock said.

On Friday, the group that's been fundraising in Kotowski's honor will hold the campaign's culminating event; a night of memories and celebration at the Wild Rover Pub in Manchester.

Festivities begin at 8 p.m. and will include a performance by Irish singer Marty Quirk. Raffle tickets will also be available. Prizes include tickets see the Boston Red Sox, the Manchester Fisher Cats, and a NASCAR event. Gift certificates from Brite Smile Teeth Whitening and Be Day Spa will also be won.

For more information, or to buy raffle tickets, contact Hadlock at 785-3799 or LyndaLPH@aol.com. For more information on the Courageous Sailing Center, visit www.courageoussailing.org.