NORWICH – Gerald F. McGowan, 88, of Norwich, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.
Born June 30, 1924, in Binghamton, Jerry was the son of Joseph and Ruby (Sayles) McGowan. Following his schooling, he served during World War II in the U.S. Army. On Sept. 28, 1946, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, he married Catherine J. Portelli. Catherine died on Jan. 31, 1988. Jerry worked as a supervisor for more than thirty years at the Norwich Shoe Company, retiring in 1987. In retirement, he worked at Duke’s Emporium and later Dusty’s and Denny’s Liquors until 2011.
Jerry was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and of the Norwich Elk’s Club. He was a former member of the Iroquois Sportsman’s Club.
Jerry is survived by his daughter, Barbara Phillips, and her husband, Thomas, of Hardwick, NJ, and grandchildren, Katherine Phillips, of Hardwick, and Meaghan Wildasin and her husband, Adam, of Spring Grove, PA. He was predeceased by a brother, Edward McGowan, and a sister, Gladys Yale.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Bartholomew’s Church with Rev. Ralph Bove, Pastor, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Jerry’s memory to Friends of Bassett Healthcare, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.