Born in Boston on February 17, 1949, Chuck grew up in Dedham and lived several years in West Roxbury before moving to Westwood in 1985. An incomparable storyteller with an unyielding passion for life, Chuck taught all his children to sail and fish, how to debate any issue with eloquence and wit, and to always abide by his one hard-and-fast rule: no whining. Chuck’s many adventures include riding his motorcycle up and down the East Coast and through the Grand Canyon, a sailing voyage from Florida to Massachusetts, and innumerable travels throughout the country and Europe with his family. He loved rugby and weightlifting, fine food and cold beer, James Bond and Harry Potter, and telling a story the way only the son of an Irish politician can. He was truly larger than life, a legend to all who knew him, and he was completely at ease in any setting, from arguing a case in court to rewiring a house, from a stately ballroom to the hallowed halls of Lewis’s.
Beloved husband of 45 years to Leslie (Pappas) McGowan. Loving father of Courtney McNeil and her husband Ryan of Bluffton, SC, Sara Shehata and her husband Derek of Norwood, and Christian McGowan and his wife Stephanie of Detroit, MI. Adored grandfather (a.k.a “Pops,” “Pie,” or, his favorite, “Popeye”) of Leona, Camille, and Talia Shehata and Graham, Henry, and Theodore McNeil.
Son of the late Charles M. McGowan, Sr. and Irene (Ralph) McGowan of Dedham. Cherished brother of Dr. Alicen McGowan and her husband Dr. Gere Unger of Highland Park, IL, and Craig McGowan and his wife Christine of East Sandwich. Chuck is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 10 am from the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street (Rt. 1A), Norwood, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Norwood. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, January 14 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home.
The family strongly requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Healy Center for ALS, Mass General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114. https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/healey-center.
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