Joseph J. McGowan, Jr., 57, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023. Joe was born in Milford, CT on March 6, 1965, to the late Joseph J. and Norma J. (Hutchinson) McGowan. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1984 before earning his bachelor's degree from Charter Oak State College. Joe served as a member of the Army National Guard, retiring as a Captain after 22 years of service. In 2004-2005, Joe was the Company Commander of the HHC 143rd Area Support Group during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Joe was the recipient of several medals including the Army Commendation Medal. He went on to a successful career as a Loss Prevention Manager for Lechmere, Bernie's, AutoZone, Allied Domecq, and Follett. In 2010, Joe received the Follett Values in Action award for providing support to employees, colleagues, and law enforcement after a tragic event at Wesleyan University.

Along with his wife Jennifer (Johnson) McGowan, Joe is survived by his son Ryan, daughter Reagan, and Boston Terrier, Phineas. He leaves his sisters, Kathleen McGowan and her husband Dan Martin, Ann Thomas and her husband Adam, and brother Michael McGowan and his wife Kelly, as well as nieces and nephews Nathan and Jeremy Marks, Jonas Martin and his wife Tiffany, and Thomas and Sara McGowan. Joe is also survived by his father-in-law Roland Johnson, brother and sister-in-law Michael and Jennifer Win-Johnson, and nieces and nephews Cooper, Gunnar, Maya, and Ava Johnson. Joe was predeceased by his mother-in-law Judy Johnson. Joe also leaves behind close friends Pat Farrell, Ken Godfrey, Rich Colbert, and Bill Petry.

Joe's funeral services will be held privately. He will be interred with military honors at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. The Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe's name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and Animal Sanctuary in Sandy Hook, CT. To share a condolence with his family, please visit www.duksa.net.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Jan. 18, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph McGowan

Sponsored by the family.

27 Entries

Glenn LaFave

July 15, 2025

I worked with Joe at Follett. A pleasure to work with. Joe was always pleasant, funny and professional. I remember asking him if he was going to visit Iraq for a vacation and he was emphatic with his NO. Joe worked with me to complete a theft investigation in one day. I found a case at Plymouth College in Plymouth NH and we worked it out to drive there in 4 hours. Great jog Joe. God bless Joe.
Glenn LaFave,

Dominique (Lombardo) Zuzelo

February 12, 2023

I just heard of your passing today from Kenny... My thoughts and prayers are with your family.... I'm so sorry Joe I will miss you my friend xxoo

Tommy Wyatt

January 24, 2023

Rest in peace brother.

Ed Dzitko

January 22, 2023

Wasnt ggod friends with Joe, and hadnt seen him since high school, but I remember a fun classmate, from many shared lunch periods, who could always make so many of us smile and laugh. So sorry for your loss.

Mike & Norah Moran

January 22, 2023

We were very sorry to hear about Joe. Our condolences. We will pray for his immortal soul.

Bob, Mariely, Tony and Julia

January 20, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Reagan we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time.

Bob, Mariely, Tony and Julia

Lea

January 20, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Regan,

Thinking of you all and sending prayers for comfort and peace during this time.

Lea

katherine

January 19, 2023

Jenn, Ryan, Reagan - Wow...once my friend, forever my family. I love you all with my whole heart and so wish I could´ve been there with you to celebrate Joe - the good and the bad. Virtual hugs for now, thinking of you always!

January 19, 2023

Ryan and Reagan, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad, I remember at least one Christmas when he dressed up as Santa, you so small and Soph was a little baby.
Jenn, I am so sorry, may you have all the strength and comfort from family through this difficult time.
Love Kate and PJ

David Dykes

January 19, 2023

Very sorry to hear of Joe's passing, we worked together at Lechmere, he was a great guy, will include him in our prayers.

David Dykes

Larry

January 18, 2023

Dear Jenn, Ryan, and Reagan, I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to all of you during this time of sorrow. May each of you find comfort in the outpouring of love and support from family and friends. We are all here for you. Wishing you comfort and peace.

Michelle Jackson

January 18, 2023

Jenn, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, I can only imagine what a difficult time this must be for you, Ryan, and Reagan. Sending you all prayers of love, strength, and peace.

Ami Ledesma

January 18, 2023

Jenn, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My love to you, Reagan and Ryann.

Ryan, Amy, Adam and Barry Alexander

January 18, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Reagan,
I´m so sorry for your loss of your husband and father. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.

The Poulin Family (John, Joan & Brooke)

January 18, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Reagan - our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father. Sending you love and strength during this time. May he Rest in peace The Poulin Family

Jennifer Faust

January 18, 2023

I'm so sorry to learn about the loss of your husband, Jenn, and your father, Ryan and Reagan. I have fond memories of him from the big family gatherings I joined during my visits to CT. Sending you my love.

The Stolfi family

January 18, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Reagan, please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your Husband and Father. Cherish and hold on to all the good memories you had with him. Wishing you love and peace.

Nancy Win-Alderson

January 18, 2023

Jenn, Ryan and Reagan, my deepest sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Joe has always been a larger than life presence at all the annual family gatherings over the years and I am so sorry that he left so soon, but happy to know that you had so many years of happy memories. Wishing you peace and healing.
Nancy

Cara Rupard

January 17, 2023

Kerry , I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you. It seems like yesterday the four of us were making our annual beach trips , I smile to this day thinking of Joe hiding all of our things. Also remembering that time we talked him in to taking all the girls to that concert and he ended up having more fun than all of us . Above all my favorite memory of Joe was him showing off all of his daughters performances , he was so proud . Again, my heart breaks for you and the boys , sending all my love.

Joanne Kowalec

January 17, 2023

Dear Jen, Ryan and Reagan,
We send our most sincere condolences to you... I remember Joe from when my parents built their house next to yours in 1997. I was 12 years at the time and adored your relationship with Joe at the time. You could tell he valued you and the kids so much. You were his life and he always said that

Jen Argenta

January 17, 2023

This saddens me to the core, especially because I know how many wonderful times there were in addition to how difficult the last year has been for Joe and for Kerry. I hope that he is at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and those closest to him.

Karen Kudish

January 17, 2023

Kerr, I´m so sad for you but happy that you found someone who made you so happy. Brian and I loved our times with you and Joe and we will never forget our dinner parties and nights in just talking. Our prayers are with you and all of his loved ones right now.

The Rupard´s

January 17, 2023

Kerry I am so so sorry. I know how devastated you must be , it seems like yesterday we were making our annual beach trip and Joe would crack himself up hiding all of our stuff . Out of all the memories, I can honestly say the time we talked him into taking all the girls to see " that " concert in Vegas - and he enjoyed it more than we did - still makes me laugh.
I loved watching all of the videos of Ryan performing...and I do mean all: he was so incredibly proud ! I know this will be so hard on you and the boys . Sending all my love

Whitney Evans

January 17, 2023

I was fortunate enough to meet Joe through Kerry and enjoy time with him in Hilton Head. I am saddened to hear of his passing and hope that those closest to him are comforted by only the happiest memories.

Fuschino family

January 17, 2023

We are shocked to hear of Joe´s passing. Our prayers are with you, Ryan and Regan.
With deepest sympathy,

Lynn Reilly

January 17, 2023

I knew Joe through Kerry and was so sad to learn of his passing. His history of service to others is admirable and I can imagine the weights he carried became quite heavy. I hope his rest is peaceful and those that love him find solace in the joyful memories that live on.

Newington Memorial Funeral Home

January 18, 2023

With deepest sympathy during your time of mourning.

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