Martin J. "Marty" McGowan's Obituary
Martin (Marty) J. McGowan, Jr., 92, of Methuen, MA passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, September 20. Born in Lawrence, MA, on September 1, 1931 to the late Martin J. McGowan, Sr. and Agnes Rose (Silke) McGowan, Marty was educated in the Lawrence schools and was a graduate of Lawrence High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War after proposing to his future wife, Marianne. After returning from Korea, Marty and Marianne were married, settled down on Hillcrest Avenue in Methuen and started a family. Marty was a parishioner of Saint Monica’s Church in Methuen.
He worked as a Hoisting Engineer for several local construction companies throughout his career and was a proud member of Local 4. He started his own company, Hillcrest Venetian Blind, where he repaired and installed window blinds, with many of the local school systems as his customers.
He was a volunteer for the Salvation Army, including working at Christmas time to help support the Eagle Tribune Santa Fund.
He was a Boy Scout leader for over 25 years, receiving the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest recognition a local Boy Scout Council can bestow upon volunteer leaders. Recipients of this award are leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through extraordinary service to the Boy Scouts of America. He always looked forward to his annual trip with Troop 23 to Camp Onway each year.
Marty loved to read, do crossword puzzles, take trips to Ogunquit and spend time with family on vacation, celebrating special family events and holidays, and attending school and sporting events for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. He would always be first at line at Raymond’s Turkey Farm to get his turkey and couldn’t wait to carve it on Thanksgiving Day. He always put others first and was always willing to help whenever he could.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted and loving wife of 68 years, Marianne (Coughlin) of Methuen, MA, his daughter Annemarie Witzgall and her husband Jim of North Reading, MA, his daughter Patricia Chapter and her husband Ron of Derry, NH, and his son Martin (Bud) J. McGowan of Fremont, NH and his late wife Cathy. Granddaughters Kellie Stedman, Christine Freeman, Michaela Chapter and Lauren Witzgall. Great granddaughters Brooke Stedman, Abby Stedman and Savannah Freeman. His brother-in-law Phil Henry and his late wife Martha. His late brothers Jim McGowan and Bob McGowan.
The family would like to thank the staff of Methuen Village for their wonderful care, support and compassion.
Friends and family are invited to call on Monday, September 25 from 3:00 to 6:00pm at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA on Tuesday, September 26 at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made in Marty’s name to Dementia Society of America https://www.dementiasociety.org.
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