Michael Boniface "Mick" Bowman

Michael Boniface Bowman

October 31, 1946 - October 29, 2025

Visitation: Friends and family received Monday November 3, 2025 from 5 PM until 7 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy.

Service: Mick's life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial on November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM at St. Sebastian Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ross Township.

On October 29, 2025, at age 78, Michael Boniface Bowman, surrounded by his family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, entered the kingdom of heaven to be united with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was man of faith, duty, and honor, and he lived his life to the fullest with his top priorities being serving the Lord and his family.

Michael, or Mick, as his wife Patricia Ann (née Cairns) called him, was born on October 31, 1946, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Harold and Rita Bowman. He graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic High School in 1964 and Wheeling College in 1968. He then served his country as an officer in the United States Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic achievements in the Vietnam War. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Mick moved to Washington, D.C., and there, in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, he met his wife Patricia. They married within a year and were subsequently blessed with eight children. Mick continued his life of public service, working for the United States House of Representatives for thirty years. While working and caring for his young family, Mick earned a master's degree in American Government Studies from Catholic University. Each day he made it a priority to attend daily mass at St. Dominic's Church in Southwest D.C. He was also a Knight of Columbus and served as the Grand Knight of Chapter 2809 in College Park, Maryland. Mick had a passion for being involved in his children's athletic teams. He coached Catholic Youth Organization sport teams, focusing on basketball for over 20 years as his children attended St. Bernard's Grade School and later the Academy of the Holy Cross, Gonzaga, and St Anselm's Abbey high schools. He also volunteered in the Prince Mont Swim League for many years, including serving as league president.

In 2005, Mick retired from the House and returned to Wheeling, where he worked at his alma mater, Wheeling Jesuit University, until 2012. In 2014, he moved to Pittsburgh for the final and perhaps most beloved chapter of his life: being a full-time Granddad to his 22 grandchildren. He spent the last decade-plus attending their sporting events, recitals, grandparents' days, and school events. Always a coach, he was a confirmation sponsor and frequently offered his grandchildren tips on sports and life. His faith devotion was constant, every day praying a rosary for each member of his family and for his fellow man, for whom he did many random acts of kindness, often anonymously.

Mick is preceded in death by his parents and his wife as well as his sister Patricia Murray and brother Ed Bowman. He is survived by his sister Margaret Bowman, and his children and grandchildren: Mary Ditmore (husband Geoff) and sons Aidan and Andrew; Joseph Bowman (wife Kara) and son Jack; Michael Bowman; Theresa Phipps (husband Peter) and children Juliana, Dominic, Cecilia, Veronica, Anthony, Margaret, and Michael; Martha Pullins (husband Matthew) and children Elizabeth, Daniel, Samuel, Catherine, Bridget, Gabriella, and James; Peter Bowman (wife Marie) and children Austin, Kaitlyn, and Landon; John Bowman; and James Bowman (wife Megan) and daughters Zoe and Rose.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to https://wheeling.edu/alumni/giving/

Friends and family received Monday November 3, 2025 from 5 PM until 7 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy. Mick's life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial on November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM at St. Sebastian Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ross Township.