Name: Visitation for Thomas Edward McGowan
Start: 2017-04-20T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Holy Family Monastery

Thomas Edward McGowan, age 59, was brought Home to Paradise on Easter morning, April 16, 2017. Tom's greatest joy was his 5 children: Eily, Nora, Rose, Gavin and Max. Besides his children he leaves his beloved wife Mary (Haggerty), brothers Robert, Stephen and Brian and their families, along with a large extended family who adored him. He was welcomed to eternal life by his father Francis and mother Shirley, along with his father-in-law Francis and brother-in-law Paul. In the chapters of Tom's life, he was blessed to assemble a tremendous group of friends, including those from Hall High, Trinity College, work colleagues in NYC and worldwide and friends from West Hartford, Pelham, NY and Weekapaug, RI. Tom was a loyal friend who worked hard to nourish and cherish those he loved. Of all of his many achievements in life, he would say that the role of father was his greatest. Protector, confidant, advisor, biggest sports fan and doting Dad, he described being father to Eily, Nora, Rosie, Gavin and Max as "pure joy". Tom committed his life to doing acts of kindness, easing economic burden, promoting education and making the world a better place for his family, friends and the causes he held dear. He tried his best in everything he did and he never, ever, gave up. Tom McGowan was a great man. Visiting hours and memorial service will be at Holy Family Monastery, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, Connecticut. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, April 20, 4:00-8:00 pm (Use Main Entrance). A memorial service will be held Friday, April 21, 11:00 am in the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charitable foundation that has been established by Tom's friends in his memory: Fidelity Charitable, PO Box 770001, Cincinnati, OH 45277-0053. Checks payable to Fidelity Charitable, reference in memo field of check: Thomas E. McGowan Giving Fund, account number 1114357. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Apr. 18, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McGowan

Sponsored by the family.

19 Entries

David Miller

February 8, 2018

I knew Tom for over 35 years having worked with him at The Travelers. Always considered him a good friend even though most of the later years we were far apart. He was a groomsman in my first wedding. Last saw him a year ago (I think) when he took two of his daughters to Houston just for a concert they wanted to see.

December 29, 2017

Life will never be the same. I met Tom about four times in my life and thought that he was one of the most wonderful people I ever encountered. God Rest his soul. We'll meet you in heaven. I'll look after the children and Mary for you. What a loss. Constance B. Harnisch

BrTerence SkorkaCP

April 21, 2017

Life is not ended But life is changed
Tom remember us here on earth as we pray and remember your great life with us.
Brother Terence Passionist
www.holyfamilyretreat.org 4/20/17

Heidi Prom

April 20, 2017

Mary, children and McGowan family,
My children and my heart is broken at the news of Tom's passing. He was one of John's best and most loyal friends. I will never forget meeting him in Dallas when I just started with AMPS - he was so much fun and larger than life. He sure made a difference in ours as a speaker and standing up for us at our wedding. He was always staying in touch - I always loved hearing his cheerful "hellos" when he would call and will miss his "toodilloos" - which always made me smile! We loved seeing your house in Weekapaug, your wedding, and your beautiful family grow over the years. Tommy was a constant friend and despite his busy schedule and your busy family, always found the time to connect. He was so loving and kind. He had it right, that is for sure - family and friends were his priority.

He was one of the most faithful friend's anyone could ask for and was so good to John during his own fight with cancer. He knew how to have fun and get a laugh, but knew the depth of his own soul and was never afraid to talk about his emotions and how he felt about anything. John loved him dearly and so do I. His eulogy at John's memorial was the most touching and loving tribute any friend could have ever made. It came right from the heart of a very loving and true friend. I will always be grateful to his thoughtful and kind heart, his great sense of fun, his character and charisma and his love for you and your beautiful children and family, which he always talked about with the deepest affection and enthusiasm! He was a deep thinker and a very soulful man. He is reunited with his family and those who he has loved and lost over the years. And without a shadw of a doubt, I know that John is there for him too. Two old Travelers pals, together for eternity in God's precious hands. God bless you and your entire family and may you find peace in all of the good deeds and love he has shared, and all of the lives he has touched and changed forever.

Lori Warchol

April 20, 2017

I was so deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Tom . We were classmates at Hall and I too have very fond memories of him. I know that he touched many lives in his work, personal and family life. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers.

Lori Gassner Warchol

Roger Paschke

April 20, 2017

Mary,
I have not had the pleasure of meeting you or your children, but I knew Tom as a friend and business associate for over 25 years. He was so kind in keeping in touch with me when I had my own battle with cancer a dozen years ago. He was one of the rare individuals in our business who could so effectively connect with you as a client, but also make an even deeper personal connection as a friend.

Tom will be deeply missed by all of us who had the great pleasure and privilege of knowing him, and he will always be carried in our hearts. We extend our deepest condolences to you and your family.

Jim Corvino

April 19, 2017

Tom you are unforgettable. Our time together was at Trinity and you were an indispensable cog in the wheels of those brief, wonderful years. My deepest condolences to your family and close friends.

Chris Foley

April 19, 2017

Prayers and sincere condolences to the McGowan family. Chris Foley Hall '80

Nancy Blue Bockman

April 19, 2017

Tom made the world a better place by being such a light. My prayers go out to you all during this terribly sad time. Keep the light shining in his honor.

kevin lovitt

April 19, 2017

Mary and the entire McGowan family,

I wanted to express my deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the McGowan family. Smacker was one of the kindest souls and best guys I have ever been privileged to meet. We shared a lot of great times on the golf course over the years and he truly was a special person and friend. Today, this world is a far less special place without him in it. I know he will be watching over all his family and all his Trinity buddies with Pat Mac.

We will miss him always.

Kevin Lovitt

Safe Harbors of The Hudson

April 19, 2017

In memory of Tom McGowan for his leadership and support of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Newburgh, New York. His legacy of kindness, generosity and civic mindedness lives on in the organization he helped create and the people it continues to serve.

In lieu of flowers, we would like to make a contribution to the Charitable Foundation being set up in his memory. Please keep us apprised of where to send that donation.

With deepest sympathy, the Board and Staff of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Inc.

Bob Maikowski

April 18, 2017

Mary & Family -- It was my pleasure, and honor, to have known Tom, take care,.......BOB MAIKOWSKI

The Gerken Family

April 18, 2017

Deepest sympathies to the whole McGowan family. Tom was a fixture at the rink during hockey season, almost always with a smile on his face. The entire West Hartford Youth Hockey association will miss him.

April 18, 2017

Brian, Marykate and family, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Tom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family. With deepest sympathy, Silvana Flattery

Tom and Beth Ann Sennett

April 18, 2017

Please accept our deepest condolences at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. In sympathy, Tom and Beth Ann Sennett

Mark Dunbar

April 18, 2017

I am incredibly saddened to hear about our loss of Tom and I express my sincere sympathy to Mary, Eily, Nora, Rosie, Gavin and Max. I am honored to have known your dad/husband for 30 years. We worked, golfed and socialized together in Dallas and stayed in touch on the phone or met up in NYC over the years. Tom always spoke about you kids and Mary as well as his career. Your dad worked hard because he is a winning competitor and his focus on caring for his family. We always enjoyed the annual Christmas Card watching your family grow larger and grow up.
Your father will be terribly missed. I hope that our Lord brings you and all of your family the much needed peace during this sad time. May Tom's soul be at peace with our Heavenly Father and rejoiced in being with his parents.
My condolences, Mark

Gale Gardiner

April 18, 2017

Deepest condolences to Mary, Eily, Nora, Rose, Gavin & Max. It was a joy to meet Tom and see his love of family, church and community. He was so proud of all of you. This must be such a difficult time... lifting you all up in prayer.

Mike Elia

April 18, 2017

My thoughts to you.....the Tom McGowan family. I went to Trinity with Tom. I also played football there with Tom. He was a senior and I was a freshman. Tom treated all of us freshman like we were seniors. He was very respectful, warm, approachable and very smart. He was also a big hitter. Maybe that's how he got the nickname "Smackers". I have not seen Tom in years yet I read his obituary and am not surprised by how it radiates "family". Tom was a good man. God Bless.

April 18, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with the McGowan family during this very difficult time.

With Love--Colonial School Pelham, NY

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results