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Joseph M. McGowan Obituary
Joseph Michael McGowan, a loving husband and father, of Annapolis, Maryland and Tannersville, New York passed away on Sunday, April 27th, 2025, at the age of 86.
Joseph was born on May 28, 1938, in New York City to Irish immigrant parents, the late Joseph P. McGowan and Catherine Brady. He was raised alongside his older sister, Mary, and younger brother, Gerald. His childhood was spent playing stickball in the street, listening to radio programs, and contributing to his household by working from a young age. He attended Incarnation School in Washington Heights.
At age 15, he left home to attend the Christian Brothers High School in Barrytown, New York. There he developed into a strong leader, played baseball and basketball, and was the president of his class. He attended Catholic University in Washington D.C. and received a degree in Chemistry in 1961.
He met his beloved wife Nancy Haines of Tannersville in 1963 at KAPL. They were married on September 12, 1964. They went on to have four children: Kelly, Katrina, Karissa, and Joseph.
Joe worked at IBM in Poughkeepsie for two decades. The family moved to Annapolis, Maryland in 1986 when he took on a new role managing import and export compliance for IBM.
Joe's greatest source of joy was his family. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He and Nancy built a second home in Tannersville in 1973 where they spent as much time as possible working around the yard and hosting family gatherings. They had a true and loving partnership and celebrated 60 years of marriage this past September. Irish traditions and culture were at the forefront of his life. Joe was Roman Catholic and a man of great faith.
He was a true gentleman and known for his kindness, charm and sense of humor. One of his favorite things to do was to relax on the deck of their Tannersville home, where he enjoyed the mountain air and dispensing his wisdom and advice to anyone lucky enough to be there.
Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia in 2021, but he never lost his characteristic humor, warmth, and desire to uplift others.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Haines McGowan; children Kelly Kotwicki (John Kotwicki), Katie McGowan, Karissa Driscoll (Andy Reid), and Joseph McGowan (Crystal McGowan); grandchildren Brendan McGowan, Christopher Palmer (Meghan Palmer), Mark McGowan, Justin, Jesse, Jacob, Julianna and Joshua Kotwicki, Ryan and Madeline Driscoll, and Neila, Anna, Virginia, and Margaret McGowan; great grandson Torsten Palmer; brother Gerald McGowan (Mary McGowan) and brother-in-law Richard Haines (Ida Haines); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 5th from 10:00 am -12:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church, Haines Falls. A Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 pm. Burial to immediately follow in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery, Elka Park.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Heights, Catskill.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, POB 379 Haines Falls, NY, 12436.
Messages of condolence may be made to MillspaughCamerato.com.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our Tree Store.
Joseph Michael McGowan, a loving husband and father, of Annapolis, Maryland and Tannersville, New York passed away on Sunday, April 27th, 2025, at the age of 86.
Joseph was born on May 28, 1938, in New York City to Irish immigrant parents, the late Joseph P. McGowan and Catherine Brady. He was raised alongside his older sister, Mary, and younger brother, Gerald. His childhood was spent playing stickball in the street, listening to radio programs, and contributing to his household by working from a young age. He attended Incarnation School in Washington Heights.
At age 15, he left home to attend the Christian Brothers High School in Barrytown, New York. There he developed into a strong leader, played baseball and basketball, and was the president of his class. He attended Catholic University in Washington D.C. and received a degree in Chemistry in 1961.
He met his beloved wife Nancy Haines of Tannersville in 1963 at KAPL. They were married on September 12, 1964. They went on to have four children: Kelly, Katrina, Karissa, and Joseph.
Joe worked at IBM in Poughkeepsie for two decades. The family moved to Annapolis, Maryland in 1986 when he took on a new role managing import and export compliance for IBM.
Joe's greatest source of joy was his family. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He and Nancy built a second home in Tannersville in 1973 where they spent as much time as possible working around the yard and hosting family gatherings. They had a true and loving partnership and celebrated 60 years of marriage this past September. Irish traditions and culture were at the forefront of his life. Joe was Roman Catholic and a man of great faith.
He was a true gentleman and known for his kindness, charm and sense of humor. One of his favorite things to do was to relax on the deck of their Tannersville home, where he enjoyed the mountain air and dispensing his wisdom and advice to anyone lucky enough to be there.
Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia in 2021, but he never lost his characteristic humor, warmth, and desire to uplift others.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Haines McGowan; children Kelly Kotwicki (John Kotwicki), Katie McGowan, Karissa Driscoll (Andy Reid), and Joseph McGowan (Crystal McGowan); grandchildren Brendan McGowan, Christopher Palmer (Meghan Palmer), Mark McGowan, Justin, Jesse, Jacob, Julianna and Joshua Kotwicki, Ryan and Madeline Driscoll, and Neila, Anna, Virginia, and Margaret McGowan; great grandson Torsten Palmer; brother Gerald McGowan (Mary McGowan) and brother-in-law Richard Haines (Ida Haines); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 5th from 10:00 am -12:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church, Haines Falls. A Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 pm. Burial to immediately follow in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery, Elka Park.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Heights, Catskill.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, POB 379 Haines Falls, NY, 12436.
Messages of condolence may be made to MillspaughCamerato.com.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our Tree Store.