Obituary of William A. McGowan

William A. McGowan, age 97 of Lewiston, died Tuesday May 5, 2015 in Niagara Hospice House in Lockport. Bill was born in 1917 in Buffalo, NY the son of the late J. Arthur and Ruth (Kelley) McGowan. He attended schools in the Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester areas, including Irondequoit High School, Rochester Collegiate Institute, and Kelley Business Institute. A veteran of WW II, Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to his honorable discharge with the rank of Master Sergeant (Sergeant Major) in 1946. He was employed by the American Terrazzo Strip Co. Inc. for 40 years, and held the position of President and General Manager from 1958 until his retirement. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lewiston where he was a former vestryman and warden. He also served as Treasurer for 19 years before retiring from that post in 1997. Bill was an avid sports fan, especially of baseball, and had a large collection of books and memorabilia. A significant amount was donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame Library in Cooperstown, NY. He is predeceased by Alice (Montgomery) McGowan, his wife of 57 years and Doris Unger, his sister. He is survived by a daughter, the Rev. Canon Carole J. McGowan of Albuquerque, NM and a son, Robert W. (Donna) McGowan of Lewiston; and two nephews. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 400 Ridge St., Lewiston, on Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 am. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 354., Lewiston, NY 14092. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge St., Lewiston.