Search by Name

Search by Name

Stewart McGOWAN Obituary

McGOWAN, Stewart (Stu) Edwin OStJ, CD BGen Retired March 1, 1938 - February 17, 2014 With great sadness the McGowan family announces the unexpected death of Stu while in Lima, Peru. Paddy and Stu were on a glorious cruise through the Panama Canal. His last days were spent enjoying the seas in a magnificent ship, lying in the sun on the pool deck with a rum and coke in hand. Stu was born in the Town of Mount Royal, Quebec, the son of Muriel (Muffet) Stewart and Edwin Archibald (Mac) McGowan. He graduated from Victoria High School in 1955 and Royal Military College in 1960. Stu's career included flying Trackers off HMCS Bonaventure; an exchange posting with the USN; flying Sea King Helicopters from HMC Ships Margaree and Assiniboine; Command of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton (his favourite posting); Base Commander in Winnipeg during visits of Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul II; Director of Army Aviation in St. Hubert; Command Director at NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs; and finally Deputy Director of NORAD, Alaska Region. Stu retired in Victoria in 1993. He loved being the skipper of a Harbour Ferry and was "lead ballerina" in the Sunday morning Blue Danube Waltz of the Ferries. As President of the Board of St. John Ambulance, Stu oversaw their building expansion on Pandora St. After helping with security during the Vancouver Commonwealth Games he joined the Rotary Club where he found his place in a group of like-minded individuals. "Service Above Self" is what guided Stu his entire life. Stu leaves his loving wife Paddy, sons Blair and Bryce (Chanida) and beloved grandchildren Draeven, Carly and Ryan. He will be sadly missed by brothers Kim (Dawna), Jay (Sandra), sister Robyn Whitbread (Ian) and was predeceased by Sister Peta Ann (Jackson) of the Convent of St. John the Divine in North York, ON. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3rd, 2014 at St. John the Divine, 1161 Quadra Street, Victoria. Reception to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. If desired donations to a charity of choice would be appreciated.
Published by The Times Colonist from Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Stewart McGOWAN

Not sure what to say?





32 Entries

Gulnara Burningham

December 28, 2014

Dear Paddy, I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.

JEFF GILMOUR

May 18, 2014

We are sorry to hear the sad news. Sincere condolences.
Jeff and Debbie Gilmour

Phyllis Currie

March 13, 2014

My condolences to all your family. I am so sorry to hear of Stu's passing. May God's comfort and His peace be with you during this time of sorrow.
With deepest sympathy,
Phyllis (MacGowan) Currie

Sharon & Bill Sundman

March 4, 2014

Dear Patty, our hearts go out to you at this sad moment. Our hearts also remember the many happy times we had over the years especially when Stu was my Commanding Officer at 408 Sqn Edmonton. The Squadron Family Days, the wonderful times when he fired the One O'clock cannon at midnight in your cul-de-sac and our short but heated experience with the 1978 Russian satellite Kosmos 954 in the Artic. His infectious gentlemen's approach to many exciting discussions during 954 won him many friends and admirers from near and far. We will miss him. “Forever in the Delta, Stu Mcgowan”. Sharon & Bill Sundman.

March 3, 2014

Dear Paddy & Family, please accept our deepest sympathies on Stu's death. We are thinking of you at this time of sadness & sorrow. Shirlee & Ross McCorkle, Kelowna.

Mary Keane

March 3, 2014

Dear Paddy
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Happy memories of your life together. God bless.

Leah, Nick, Gareth Crisp

March 3, 2014

Paddy
We are so very sorry to hear the sad news. Our most sincere condolences. Stu will be missed .

Leah, Nick and Gareth

Janice Graham

March 3, 2014

Dear Paddy,

I send you my deepest condolences on Stu's death. I am happy that on several occasions we had conversations together. Please accept my warm thoughts.

Bill and Stu: Pat Obrian's, New Orleans, May 7/63

March 3, 2014

March 2, 2014

Sharron Aitchison... Paddy, Your happy memories will help your broken heart heal.. fondest regards Sharron

Glenn Goodman

March 1, 2014

Paddy,
I learned about Stu's passing just today.Me and My family are deeply saddened about this and have the utmost sympathy to you and your family. We had many good times that
I will always cherish! sincerely,
Glenn Goodman

Chris Tomaschuk

March 1, 2014

My thoughts are with you and your family
Chris Tomaschuk

March 1, 2014

Paddy, though we are miles away you could not be closer in our thoughts. Your strenghts are legiondary use them now. Enjoy every one of your treasured memories. Hope to see you in the fall. We miss him too. Love Woods

March 1, 2014

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Stu, a true gentleman and friend. We first met as Rainbow Sea Cadets in the early 1950's , and like many others, went on to a Naval career. RIP Stu.

Alma & Chuck Coffen

March 1, 2014

Dearest Paddy,
We were so saddened to hear of Stu's passing. We hope that the memory of the enjoyment of his last cruise up the time he took ill will temper the difficulties and added stress of his passing in a foreign land.
We are grateful for the few days we spent together last summer during the Sea King 50th anniversary celebrations.
Stu was a dear friend and a valued colleague.
Our thoughts are with you

Alma and Chuck

Ray & Loraine Henault

March 1, 2014

Dear Paddy,

It was with great regret that we learned of Stu's passing. We have wonderful memories of Stu as a loving husband & father, inspirational leader, outstanding Commanding Officer (at 408 Sqn) and Group Commander that we were privileged to call a friend. He will always be remembered for the special joy that he brought to everyone around him, with his unique laugh & smile, and his pragmatic approach to life as a true gentleman. Please know that you and all your family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time of grieving. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Ray & Loraine Henault

LCol Roderick MacDonnell

February 28, 2014

I pass on our unit's sincerest condolences. When we discovered the news, many of us went down the hall to stand before his picture and reminisced at the number of exploits that took place during his leadership at the helm of 408 Squadron from 3 August 1977 to 11 Jan 1980. We wish his family well and hope that he is comfortable flying among those that went before us.

For Freedom

Gil McCauley

February 28, 2014

To Paddy, family & friends,
My family joins me in offering our sincerest condoleances for the untimely passing of BGen McGowan.

February 28, 2014

Paddy,

Our thoughts and those of your neighbours on Ascot are with you and your family.

Andy and Cathy Ruszel

February 28, 2014

Paddy,

We were very saddened to hear of Stu's sudden passing; our condolences to you and yours.

Alex, Elizabeth & Helen

February 28, 2014

Paddy,

We were very saddened to hear of Stu's sudden death; our condolences to you and yours.

Alex, Elizabeth & Helen

Gerald Pash

February 28, 2014

Paddy:
Regret that I will be unable to attend on Monday. I will miss Stu in so many ways. It was a delight to enjoy so many successes working together at St. John Ambulance and in Rotary. My condolences and best regards to you and all those close to Stu.
Ready Aye Ready, Per Ardu ad Astra,and Veritas.

February 27, 2014

Sandra and I were saddened by the news of Stu's death. We first met at Vic High in grade ten in 1952, which must put me in the "oldest friends" category. He was a great person, and a fine officer.

Paddy and the family have our deepest sympathy.

David Anderson

February 27, 2014

Our sincere condolences Paddy-- Stu was the most respected boss I had in my Air Force career, and I am sure his leadership abilities rubbed off on me while under his Command.
Slim & Edie Hodgson

February 27, 2014

Thinking of you ... sad to hear the news. Hugs and kisses from down unda.
Love, Debi, Tuck and Palmer

Terry Lynch

February 27, 2014

Stu was my first Crew Commander in VS 880. He was an accomplished "Deck Pilot". I enjoyed his leadership and friendship. RIP Skipper.

John McDonald

February 27, 2014

Stu will be sadly missed. Our sincerest condolences!

February 27, 2014

Paddy and family - We are so very sorry to hear the sad news. Our most sincere condolences. Doreen and Jean

Roy and Jenny Stewart

February 27, 2014

Paddy & family, Stu will be remembered as a generous and thoughtful man. Our condolences and thoughts are with you.
Roy and Jenny Stewart

Michelle Lewis

February 27, 2014

A loving grandfather to Draeven McGowan with much appreciation of spending his summers each and every year with my son. Stu you will be missed by Michelle and Len Lewis and Draeven and Xavier

February 27, 2014

Our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of Stu. Colleen and Vincent

Marjorie Meckbach

February 27, 2014

Sam would be so sorry to hear of "Stu" passing. While I don't know him I know Sam held him in high regards. RIP.

Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results

Memorial Events
for Stewart McGOWAN

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.