Richard P. McGowan – of North Reading, MA and formerly of Brooklyn, NY, died Thursday October 20, 2005 at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 4, 1930, he was the son of the late Patrick and Sarah (Kneafsey) McGowan. He was a graduate of C.W. Post – Long Island University. He received his MS in Engineering at Northeastern University and later did post-graduate studies at MIT. He was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving from 1951-1955.  

Richard was a resident of North Reading for more than 40 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He worked for many years as a manufacturing systems engineer for several major corporations. He had been retired for the past 15 years.

He was committed to God, church, its commandments and his family. He was especially close to his only sister, Mary, of Hicksville, NY. His constant companion was his cat, Chevas. Mr. McGowan was especially proud of his US Navy service. In retirement, he enjoyed reading, music, walking, boating, attending various courses and time with his granddaughter, Faith.

Family members include his wife of 43 years, Margaret (Basara) McGowan; his son, Patrick and his fiancé, Jennifer Grammel of Holden, MA; and his daughter, Margaret (McGowan) Potorski, her husband John and their daughter, Faith, all of Georgetown, MA; his brother, Martin and his wife, Margaret (Nolan) McGowan of Belle Harbor, NY and his dear sister, Mary (McGowan) Torpey of Hicksville, NY.  Many nieces and nephews also survive him. He was the brother of the late Hugh and Frank and McGowan.

A Memorial Mass celebrating Richard’s life was held on October 26, 2005 at St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading. Interment took place on October 27, 2005 at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York with full US Navy Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to:

Bishop Fenwick High School, Annual Fund, 99 Margin St., Peabody, MA 01960

Or

St. John the Evangelist School, Memorial Fund, 111 New Balch St., Beverly, MA 01915

Arrangements were made by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, MA

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Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste, it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

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Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

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Life is life, fight for it. 

Mother Theresa of Calcutta