Obituary of John Cowan John E. Cowan born October 1, 1934 found peace and rest on September 20, 2018 when he died in the arms of his loving wife Patricia T. Cowan (nee Geier). John was the eldest of nine children. Family legend has it that his romance with Pat began on a teeter totter at a Michigan State University Newman Center picnic.
John married Pat on September 22, 1956. John will be remembered by his true love and their four children, Edward P. Cowan, Diane F. Cowan, Robert M. Cowan, and Jeanette M. Ward; two daughters¬in-law, Nancy (nee Hall) and Kim Cowan; six grandchildren, Jonathan Hall, Scott and Bryan Cowan, Stephanie Cowan, Monica Poulsen (nee Ward) and Veronica Ward; and great-grandson, Gryffin Poulsen. The children were born in Michigan and Ohio before John and Pat moved east to raise them in New City, NY from 1968-1998.
John worked as a business executive at American Cyanamid in Pearl River, NY, and then Wayne, NJ where he was promoted to Operations Manager for Europe, Mid-east, Africa, and Asia. The Cowans retired to Wilmington, NC where John helped fledge many local family-owned businesses as a SCORE volunteer. John also remained active in the Cyanamid retirement community writing newsletters, attending meetings and events, and traveling with colleagues he met from all over the globe.
John will be missed by many around the world. Outside of business, John was an avid photographer, supportive father, and theatre enthusiast. His daughter Diane recalls a photography course they took together and spent many hours in the Cyanamid darkroom watching the magic of chemicals making photos come to life.
Bob remembers good times with his Dad doing projects for cub scouts and walking around Lake Victoria. One extra special memory was a photography trip to South Street Seaport and doing Cibacrome developing and printing of the pictures from that trip. Jeanette fondly credits her father for her a love of theater.
She especially appreciated John taking her to see Shenendoah twice, once as a child and once as an adult because he knew how much she loved it. John also loved good food and enjoyed treating his friends and family to Bully Boy in Congers, NY, the Freelance Cafe in Piermont, NY, and Catch in Wilmington, NC. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 25 at 10 am at St. Cecilia’s Church, 10 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction, NJ.
In deep sorrow, the family of John E. Cowan ask that you hold his memory dear in your hearts. In lieu of flowers send donations to: The Lobster Conservancy PO Box 235 Friendship, ME 04547 Father Monchan Ezung (who performed Last Rights) Immaculate Conception Church Spotswood, NJ 08884 732-251-3110 Princeton Hospital Foundation Princeton Hospice Program 5 Plainsboro Rd.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
