John McGowan, Sr.

John B. “Jack” McGowan passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, July 9, just after midnight and just shy of his 90th birthday.

He was predeceased by his loving wife and soulmate, Myra Kay (nee Rombach) McGowan; parents, John and Marjorie (nee Rust) McGowan; sister Sue D’Agostino; and brothers Daniel and Thomas. Jack is survived by his children Jack McGowan Jr. (Kathy Muscato), Julianne (Andrew) Silverman, Michael (Sarah) McGowan, and Matthew McGowan; grandchildren Robert (Brianna), Jessica, and Holly Silverman; Elsa, Carson, and Marit McGowan.

Jack was born and raised in Tiffin, Ohio. He attended Calvert High School, where he co-edited the school newspaper and co-captained the football team and, most importantly, met and courted his beloved Kay. They were married in 1957 and were rarely apart for 54 years until Kay’s passing in 2011.

Jack served his country in the US Army and graduated from Ohio State University. He moved to Rochester in 1960, accompanied by Kay and their firstborn son, to begin his career as a Systems Analyst at Eastman Kodak Company. Ten years and three children later, the family moved to Bangkok, where Jack served as Administrative Manager for Kodak, Thailand. Six years later, the family returned to Rochester and purchased their “dream home” on Gregory Hill Road near Highland Park.

After early retirement from Kodak, Jack worked part-time as a paralegal for Monroe County Clerk Margaret DiFrancisco and later Maggie Brooks. After Kay’s death, he became an avid student at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT. He also wrote his memoirs, learned to square dance, enjoyed daily walks in Highland Park, and shared many breakfasts (with donuts!) with his longtime neighbor and friend Bob Vetter. Jack lived in the family home until 2017, when he moved to Heather Heights Assisted Living and later Maplewood Nursing Home. Over the last decade, he formed lasting friendships with many of his caregivers.

Jack and Kay were among the founding members of Genesee Co-op Natural Foodstore (now Abundance Food Co-op). Jack’s volunteer service included managing the co-op’s finances through its first major expansion.

The family enjoyed happy summer vacations at the “McGowan Cottage” at Byrneal Beach on Lake Erie, outside Port Clinton, Ohio. They created many more memories at gatherings, which came to include six grandchildren, in beautiful Cape May, New Jersey.

Jack enjoyed league bowling, playing softball, listening to bluegrass and banjo, and working out at Midtown Athletic Club with his trainer Steve Lopes. He and Kay played bridge for many years, and Jack also joined in on poker nights with friends and work colleagues.

Jack was a man of deep faith, and served as a Sunday Mass lector and member of the Knights of Columbus, first at St. John the Evangelist Church and later at St Anne Church on Mt Hope Avenue.

Jack lived a full life, generously shared with family and friends. We will miss his knowing smile, wise counsel, open heart, understated sense of humor and so much more.

Friends and family are welcome for visitation on Monday, July 21, from 4 to 7 pm, at Anthony Funeral Chapel, 2305 Monroe Avenue, Rochester. The family will lead a 6:15 pm memorial service. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, July 22, at 10 am at St. Anne Church, 1600 Mt. Hope Avenue, followed by a brunch at Genesee Valley Club, 421 East Avenue. In lieu of flowers, friends may consider a donation in Jack’s memory to United Way of Rochester and the Finger Lakes. https://bit.ly/UnitedWayforJack