Lt. Thomas P. McGowan

Lt. Thomas P. McGowan, 72, retired Worcester Fire Fighter of Worcester and Old Orchard Beach Maine, passed away Thursday, August 14th in Maine Medical Center. Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Lois I. (Davis) McGowan; his devoted six children, David P. McGowan and his wife Barbara of Oxford, Patrick J. McGowan and his wife Susan of Whitinsville, Paul F. McGowan and his wife Cheryl of Dudley, Daniel T. McGowan and his wife Liane; Kathleen A. McGowan, Karen J. Noonan and her husband Richard all of Worcester; a sister, Mary C. McGowan of Pocasset; fourteen cherished grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Thomas was born in Leominster, a son of the late Patrick J. and Catherine (McManus) McGowan. He served in the U.S. Navy, and has lived here all his life. Tom was as a Fire Fighter for 32 years for the City of Worcester, Fire Department with Engine Company 13, the Rescue Squad and retiring as a Lieutenant with Aerial Scope 1. Tom enjoyed all sports and worked as a High School Basketball Official for 25 years. He also worked as a Worcester School Bus driver over 28 years transporting many children to their schools and teams to their games. He was a member of St Stephen's Church and the men's pitch league. He was a past board member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials board 26. A member of the International Brotherhood of Firefighters Union Local 1009, a member and Board of Director of the Worcester Firefighters Credit Union. A member of the Alhambra Council Knights of Columbus, the Vernon Hill Post American Legion, a life member of the PNI Club and a member of the Grafton Hillers. Tom enjoyed the summer with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends in his beloved Maine. Tom's funeral will be held Tuesday, August 19th from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. with a mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton St. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, August 18th, in the funeral home. The family request that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be sent to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104-2396