Paul McGowan

1949 - 2024

McGowan, Paul
LOUNDONVILLE - Paul John McGowan passed peacefully into eternal rest on November 2, surrounded by his family.
Paul was a true son of Albany, born to Veronica McGowan on September 25, 1949, and raised by his loving aunt and uncle, Ruth and Joe Bosco. Paul spent his childhood on Yardboro Avenue, with his cousins from the DiPace family and attended St. Patrick's Elementary School in Albany. He then went on to McCloskey High School, where he graduated with his future wife, Maureen (Mormile). After attending both Siena College and the University of Albany, Paul served ten years on the Albany City Police Department where he found lifelong friends, and more important, lifelong stories that he could continue to tell. Paul was a founding member of the Albany Police Pipes and Drums Bagpipe Band and toured across New York, and even Ireland – yet his favorite performance continued to be his annual show for the children of Public School 16 on St. Patrick's Day.
While Paul loved to tell his cop stories to anyone who would listen, Paul's favorite tale was how he asked Maureen out on a date when he was on patrol in her Madison Avenue neighborhood. Indeed, "the cop with the big blue eyes" used Maureen's two younger sisters as couriers for the sweet invitation for a date that ultimately led to the rest of their lives. Paul and Maureen shared fifty-two years of marriage and two children, Brandon and Caitlin (Jonathan Vaughn).
For his children, Paul has been a giant in every sense of the word. From coaching tee-ball, emceeing lip sync concerts, heading the PTA, camping along the eastern seaboard and being a constant source of encouragement and some occasional tough love – Paul has been the father that people write stories about. He was the first one to cry when he dropped his children off at college, as well as the last one to pull away from every hug.
In addition to the Albany Police Department, Paul taught police officers for the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services and then proudly served as the lobbyist for the New York State Teachers' Retirement System for decades, where he looked forward to entertaining his coworkers. For everyone that knew Paul, he had a joke on hand and was a constant during life's hardest moments. He is predeceased by Charlie Rutherford, his partner on the police and close friend, as well as Maria and Frank Blake who were cherished friends to him and his wife. He also leaves behind a contingent of people who have been blessed to take a small piece of his Irish charm and love with them including Margaret "the Magnificent" Mineau, Jack Houlihan, Bill Kervin, and those two little kids that eventually became his sisters Georgia (Ralph Pape) and Cindy (James Devine).
In his later years, Paul fought a long battle with Parkinson's disease. The silver lining in this fight was that Paul and his family found helping hands and comfort from new family and friends including his two beloved aides, Nathaniel Brown and Ariel West. His family would also like to extend its deepest thanks to the aides, nurses, and clinical staff of Schuyler Ridge Healthcare Facility who looked out for him until the end.
For those who knew Paul, they were blessed with one of the purest and kindest souls. He was a man who had a deep love for his family, a strong sense of justice, and a roaring laugh that could shake the ground. To our sweet husband and beloved father, while you leave us here, we will continue to say your name, tell your stories, and remember your smile. Sleep well our dear love, until we meet again.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Paul's family on Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Pius X Church, Loudonville.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3007&np=true). To leave a message condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com