Mr. McGowan, 95, of Middletown, died Sept. 26, 2009, at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shrewsbury. He was general attorney for the Jersey Central Railroad, Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and its successor, Conrail, retiring in 1978. He helped organize the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel. During retirement, he recorded for the N.J. Library for the Blind and volunteered at hospice programs and the Holmdel Nursing Home. Mr. McGowan was predeceased by his wife, Marie F.; three brothers, Francis, Alfred and Gerard; and a grandson, Joseph Miller. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary M. and Daniel Latore of Middletown, Rita A. and Clyde Miller of Grove City, Ohio, and Theresa M. and Michael Lillis of Wilmington, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Murphy; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at St. Catharine’s Church, Holmdel. Entombment followed at St. Catharine’s Mausoleum, Spring Lake. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to the Fair View First Aid Squad, 17 Kanes Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748.
