Robert T. Gownley

Atty. Robert T. Gownley, 104, affectionately known as "Mr. G," died early Sunday morning in the Geisinger Community Medical Center Mountain View Care Center after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Walsh, who passed away on Jan. 1, 2001. At the time of her death, the couple had been married for 56 years.

Born in Scranton, son of the late Edward S. and Catherine Tighe Gownley, Mr. G was a graduate of the University of Scranton and the Temple University School of Law. He was a member of the U.S. Army, and served in World War II as a staff sergeant. He practiced law in Scranton for many decades as a sole practitioner in the area of wills and estates, and was associated in the practice of law with his son, Attorney Robert T. Gownley Jr. He also served as an assistant city solicitor for the City of Scranton and the Scranton Sewer Authority. At the time of his death, Atty. Gownley was the oldest living member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and also the oldest member in the history of the Lackawanna Bar Association. He kept young by attending 12 hours of continuing legal education class each year. In fact, in 2014, he completed his 12 hours of classes.

He was a devout Catholic, a member of St. Peter's Cathedral Parish and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

His family would like to thank the staff at Mountain View Care Center, where he spent his last 100 days. Special thanks goes out to Tim Robinson, Erin Fanning and Paula for the care and compassion shown to Mr. G.

Also special thanks go out to the caregivers at Telespond who cared for Mr. G at his home, including Connie Nocera, Maggie Boos, Al Walker and Karen Evancavitch. Also, Mr. G always said that: "Wednesday was the best day of the week," because that was the day that Kathy and Elaine Nealon would take Mr. G to their home and treat him like a king. Their kindness will always be remembered.

Surviving are a son, Atty. Robert T. Gownley Jr. and his wife, Nancy, Scranton; a daughter, Margaret Mary Jones and her husband, Frederick W., Ph.D., North Plainfield, N.J.; grandchildren, Colleen M. Oakes and her husband, Brian; Christine A. Gownley, Robert T. Gownley III and his wife, Tammy; Kevin P. Gownley, Rosemary T. Falchek and her husband, David; John L. Gownley, Catherine W. Bergquist, Ph.D., and her husband, Charles; Anne W. Dorn, Ph.D., and her husband, Daniel, Ph.D.; Richard G. Jones and his wife, Nina; and Therese T. Amara and her husband, Najib; great-grandchildren, Kaitlin and Shannon Oakes, Andrew Gownley, Meghan, Robert T. IV and Molly Gownley, Gregory, Paul and Lucy Bergquist, Monica, Cecilia, Thomas and PJ Dorn, Renee and Marisa Jones and Lorna Amara; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, Fr. Leonard, C.P., William and James Gownley; and sisters, Mary Fear Wildman, Grace Gilroy and Sr. Marcia Gownley, IHM.

The family invites all attending the funeral to proceed directly to the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn of Fordham University on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Vanston & James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton.

Interment with military honors, Cathedral Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carlene R. Gallo, Esq., Robert T. Gownley Jr., Esq., and Jill H. Miller, Esq., Endowment Fund for Lackawanna Pro Bono Inc. at the Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510.

For directions, to share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit www.vanstonandjames.com.