John Clinton Cowley

Jan. 21, 1922 - March 2, 2009 Resident of San Mateo Left this world after a long illness on March 2, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty June, and his 5 children, Stephen, Kathleen, Patricia, Gayle and Brian. Another son, Kevin, died in 2001. John has 8 grandchildren - Kacey and Kyle Scheppler, Andrew and Krista Curto, Nicholas and Maxwell Willis, and Marilyn and Audrey Cowley. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by family and friends. Born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, John graduated from Devils Lake HS. In 1948 he received a degree from the Univ. of Nortre Dame. As a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot during World War II he flew bomber escort and strafing operations until he was shot down over Belgium on his 42nd mission. He sustained serious injuries and spent 1-1/2 years recovering in Oklahoma and at Dibble General Army Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and Purple Heart and was discharged as a Captain. After the war he became a sales engineer for the Hamilton Manufacturing Co. and earned numerous awards for his talent and precision in designing hospital, chemical and university laboratories. In 1949 he married Betty June Molinari, and settled in San Mateo, CA where he raised a family of 6 children. He was a life-long Notre Dame fan, an outdoorsman and athlete who enjoyed camping, skiing, golf and spending time with his family. Toward the end of a long and happy life, John battled Parkinson's disease, all the while maintaining an upbeat disposition. The family is especially grateful to his loving caregiver, Josephine Aquino, whose gentle and caring manner provided great comfort during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mission Hospice or the Samaritan House of San Mateo County or the PreNatal Homeless program in San Francisco would be appreciated. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 at St. Bartholomew's Church in San Mateo. SNEIDER & SULLIVAN & O'CONNELL'S FUNERAL HOME (650) 343-1804 www.ssofunerals.com