James Kowalski, who built the Twin Cities chain of nine supermarkets bearing his name, died Thursday after falling into a rotating plane propeller while on a fishing trip in Canada, according to the Star Tribune.
James Kowalski was standing outside the plane atop the floats as the plane made its approach. Police say Kowalski lost his balance when the plane reached the shore. He fell off the floats and into the propeller, which was still running.
Kowalski, 67, died Thursday in an incident involving a floater plane during a fishing trip in Ontario, Canada, said family spokeswoman Deb Kowalski. The family issued a statement on Friday through Twitter reading "The Kowalski family & staff thanks everyone for their kindness. The memory of Jim & his legacy will live on in his stores & in our hearts."
After a post mortem examination was completed Friday, authorities said the cause of death is not suspicious. The plane involved in the accident is said to be a Cessna 185.
The friend who accompanied Kowalski told family spokesperson Deb Kowalski that he "heard a noise, and [Kowalski] was gone."
Kowalski and his wife Mary Anne bought a struggling Red Owl Supermarket store in 1983, and turned it around by selling more upscale goods, with an emphasis on products made by local merchants as well as healthier offerings.
