Thomas James Bowers

Thomas James Bowers, 67, died suddenly at his home on January 21. Tom was predeceased by his mother, Mary and his father, Harry, and maternal grandparents Michael and Katherine who he joins in heaven. He is survived by his loving wife, June (Mead) and daughter Katherine (Katie); two sons, Peter and Sean; daughter-in-law, Rebecca (Becky); two wonderful grandchildren who he adored, Nathan and Gavin; his sister, Patricia (Charles) Mulesky; his brother John (Ida) Bowers; his brother-in-law, Lars Mead; nephews Robert (Erin) Mulesky and Michael (Beatriz) Mulesky, John David Bowers; niece Susan (William) Knight; as well as his cousins and many friends. Tom was a life-long learner—he loved going to school, challenging himself and others to realize their fullest potential. He holds a bachelors degree in political science from the State University of New York at Binghamton, 1970; MA in counseling from Binghamton University, 1992; MS in information resource management from Syracuse University, 2002; and MSW from Binghamton University's School of Social Work, 2006. He had long and successful careers in systems engineering at IBM, Endicott and Lockheed Martin, Owego, retiring from both these corporations to pursue his passion—helping others—by becoming a gifted social worker with tremendous humility. Tom served the vulnerable and suffering souls of our community as a volunteer, intern, chemical dependency counselor and clinical social worker at the Addictions Center of Broome County; Binghamton General Hospital; Chit Chat Farms, Caron Foundation; Foster Care Mentoring Program, Broome County Dept of Social Services; Southern Tier Independence Center; Chenango County Mental Hygiene Services; United Health Services Methadone Clinic; New Horizons and United Health Services Mental Health. He was vice-president of Halley Research, LLC. Tom co-founded the Healthy Heart Program at Lourdes Wellness Center. He was a Peer Counselor, Employee Assistance Program, IBM Corporation, Endicott; Councilman, Town of Dickinson; and Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Port Dickinson. He found tremendous satisfaction as a guest speaker for the MSW program at Binghamton University and the University of Buffalo. Tom was always proud of his military service in the U.S. Navy Reserves and U.S. Army. He loved nature, his Irish heritage and the color green. He was a self-described, long-suffering fan of the Mets, Jets and NY Giants. A celebration of Tom's life will be held Wednesday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m., at the Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego. All are invited to come, to spend time with others who loved him and to share a story about Tom—how he helped you, how he made you laugh, how he touched your life and the lives of those you love. Tom carried a card in his wallet and directed us to share this with you:

I give you this one thought to keep

I am with you still - I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone

I am with you still - in each new dawn.

~Native American Prayer~

Those wishing to join in honoring Tom's commitment to serving others are invited to make a contribution to a scholarship fund being established in Tom's memory at Binghamton University's School of Social Work (attention: Cassandra Bransford, Assoc. Prof., PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000). Arrangements by Ernest H. Parsons Funeral Home, Inc. Please visit Parsonfuneral.com to sign the book of condolence.