Rev. Paul J. Bowman

The Rev. Paul J. Bowman, 93, pastor emeritus of Union Congregational Church, Rockville, and longtime community leader, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Rockville General Hospital. He was married to the late Harriet S. (Donovan) Bowman for 63 years before her death in 2006.

Born in Mercer, Pa., son of the late Benjamin and Pearl (Craig) Bowman, he graduated from Mercer High School, Mercer, Pa.; received his bachelor of arts from Grove City College, Grove City, Pa., and his doctor of divinity from Boston University, Boston, Mass., in 1943. Following his graduation from Boston University, Rev. Bowman served during World War II as a Navy chaplain. He received Naval chaplain's training at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va., and served at the Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho. He served as senior pastor at the First Congregational Church, Oxford, Mass., from 1944 to 1947; Rollstone Congregational Church, Fitchburg, Mass., from 1947 to 1956; and finally Union Congregational Church, Rockville, from 1956 until his retirement in October 1980. During his years in Rockville, his church leadership role led him to also devote his time and talents and bring his ministry to help the wider Rockville community. He served on the Vernon Board of Education, was an incorporator of the Rockville General Hospital where he was also instrumental in the hospital building an interdenominational chapel. He was a member of the Rockville Clergy Council, served as chaplain of the town of Vernon Fire Department for 33 years, a chaplain at Rockville General Hospital and Vernon Manor. Also, he served as chairman of the Durfee Fund Committee, and was on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Council UCC. Rev. Bowman believed he needed to be close to the people he served and cared for them as friends whether they were members of his church or just people who he ministered to in the wider community. He never retired from service to others. Just minutes before his death, he made a phone call to ask about the well-being of a friend and remember him in prayer. He was an avid Boston Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins fan and enjoyed watching games with his family and friends.

Rev. Bowman leaves his two children, Richard Bowman and his wife, Carol, of Vernon, and Ruth Bowman Birtwell of Ashford; three grandsons, Craig Bowman and his wife, Tracy, and Kevin Bowman and his wife, Stacey, all of Ellington, and William Clifford Birtwell III of Ashford; and great-grandchildren, Emily Rachel and Adam Paul Bowman. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a brother, Clarence Bowman.

The funeral service for Rev. Paul J. Bowman will be Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. at Union Congregational Church, 3 Elm St., Rockville. The Rev. Ray Dupere, the Rev. Dr. Lynn Anderson, and the Rev. Dr. Karen Roy will share in the service. Burial with military honors will follow next to his wife, Harriet, in Grove Hill Cemetery, Vernon.

His family will receive friends Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ladd Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road, Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Union Congregational Church, 3 Elm St., Vernon, CT 06066.

For condolences, please visit

www.carmonfuneralhome.com