Russell Bowman

Russell Bowman
Russell Bowman of Greenwich passed away on Christmas morning following a brief illness. He was 83. He was the son of Fred and Edna Bowman, formerly of Rye, NY. Russ grew up in Rye and married Barbara Rowland in 1957; they lived in Rye. In 1963, he and his family moved to Greenwich, living briefly in Glenville and for 30 years in Riverside, finally moving to Byram in 1996. He lived his final two years at Greenwich Woods.
Russ was an advertising executive at several firms, including BBDO and General Foods. He was also an accomplished musician and started his band, the Finger Lake Five, while attending Hobart College. The dixieland band played regularly in New York City including Jimmy Ryan's on 52nd street, opening for Billie Holiday at Town Hall, and playing at the Randall's Island Jazz Festival. They recorded an album for Columbia Records. Russ also volunteered for several Greenwich organizations including as Chairman of the St. Paul's Fair, the Red Cross and the Connecticut Playmakers. Russell loved playing his piano and frequently played for other residents at Greenwich Woods during his last years.
He was predeceased by his wife Barbara (Rowland) Bowman, who passed away in 2008. He is survived by his sons John and his wife Nicole of Byram, Russell Jr., his wife Samantha and his two children Russell and Claudia of Phoenixville, PA, and Jeff and his wife Julie of Haverford, PA, and his daughter Sally of Danbury.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church in Riverside. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenwich Woods Employee Sunshine Fund, 1165 King Street, Greenwich, CT 06831