John P. McGowan, 88 of Batavia, died peacefully Friday morning, December 27, 2013 at the United Memorial Medical Center. He was born September 19, 1925 in Montreal, Quebec to the late Arthur (Eugene Kelley) McGowan. John worked for 38 years as an Insurance Claims Adjuster at Travelers Insurance Company and Aetna Insurance Company. He was an active member of the Resurrection Parish and was an avid sports follower who loved the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. He devoted many hours as a volunteer for the Batavia Youth Football Organization, as well as being a coach of the “Bulldogs” and was very proud of each person he coached. He was one of the instrumental leaders during the formation of the Batavia Amateur Hockey Organization, leading the ranks of administrator, coach, and referee for many years. He was very much respected among the community as a family man, business leader and will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved more than anything spending time with his family. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary Elizabeth McGowan and his second wife Valerie McGowan; sister Beatrice McGowan and a daughter Karen Connell.
Mr. McGowan is survived by his children James (Cindy) McGowan; Beth Ann McGowan; John McGowan all of Batavia; Mary Ellen (Val) Steele of Greece; Robert (Ann) McGowan of Dallas, TX; Thomas (Mary) McGowan of Byron; Michelle (Mark) Shero; Robin (Ken) Kwiecien both of Perry; 18 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday December 29, 2013 from 2-6 PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. A 12:00 Noon Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday December 30, 2013 at Resurrection Parish 303 East Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. He will be laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery, Avon.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association 22 Evans St. Batavia, NY 14020 or to the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation 127 North St. Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.
