Obituary: Coleman McGowan, 89, WWII Veteran

Obituary: Courtesy of Keohane

McGowan, Coleman of Duxbury and Woburn entered into rest November 2, 2015 at 89 years.

Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Ann (Keohane). Son of the late Mary Elizabeth and Coleman McGowan and late brothers Francis and Donald. Survived by his children Michael and his wife Janet, daughter Jaclyn and son Gregory of Winchester; Philip and his late wife Sharon of Rowley; Joan and her husband Michael of Canton; Paul and his wife Susan, daughters Emma and Sarah of Melrose; Laureen and her husband Rick, daughter Elyse and son Peter of Waltham, and an extended network of relatives and friends.

Coleman, a graduate of Wentworth Institute, was an electrical engineer with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Instrumentation Laboratory and the Charles Stark Draper Laboratories of Cambridge and Bedford, specializing in inertial navigation systems for many space, aviation and government projects. He was an energetic supporter and fundraiser for the PSP Foundation. His lifetime hobbies and interests were dedicated to the Boy Scouts, Audubon Society, St. Barbara’s Church, Holy Name Society and, Massachusetts Institute of Technology events. He enjoyed woodworking and took great pride in organic gardening.

Coleman was a WWII veteran and served on the USS Bennington. He co-chaired a committee to construct and dedicate a memorial located in the Newport RI Fort Adams State Park in remembrance of the 103 Bennington crewmembers who lost their lives in a 1954 catapult accident off the coast of Rhode Island.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 386 Hancock Street, N. Quincy on Saturday, November 21 at 11:30 AM. Burial will be private.

Donations in memory of Elizabeth and Coleman may be made to PSP Foundation – Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093.