James D. McGowan

McGOWAN, James D. "Jim" 85, of Clearwater, FL, previously of Newton, MA, died Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Born March 4, 1926 in Cambridge MA, he served in the Army during WWII in Europe under General Patton. He was one of the declining numbers of "The Greatest Generation". He worked for New England Telephone Co. (now Verizon), was very involved in the IBEW union, and retired in 1985. He met the love of his life, Flora "Terry" (Theriault), his "favorite nurse", while he was her patient at Cambridge City Hospital, Cambridge MA, and married her in 1951. They lived in Newton, MA, and raised their four children there. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather. James was predeceased by his oldest son, David McGowan; his oldest sister, Ruth McGowan; his oldest brother, John McGowan, and his younger brother, Robert McGowan. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Flora, Clearwater, FL; his daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne Gundel (Paul), Largo FL; Jeanne McGowan-Boucher (Ron), Palm Harbor FL; son, Steven McGowan (Joyce), Wilmington, MA; sister, Loretta Herman (George), Medford MA; brother, Leo McGowan (Lillian), Wareham MA; sister-in-law, Clara McGowan, Lynnfield, MA; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. James' tremendous love for his family and friends, his sense of humor with the twinkle in his blue eyes, will be greatly missed by all. Funeral Mass at St. Cecelia's Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, FL 33756, Thursday, July 21st at 12:45 PM, followed by internment of his ashes at Bay Pines Veterans Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in James' name to: Canine Companions for Independence, Southeast Regional Center, PO Box 680388, Orlando, FL 32868 or online contributions at cci.org. Guest bookfor condolences at: www.mossfeasterclearwater.com Moss Feaster Funeral Homes