Uncle Bob was my Godfather. My mother married his older brother, Cyril (Mac) McGowan at the end of WWII when he was training future airmen at Goodfellow airbase in San Angelo, TX after flying many many missions in a B-17 out of Framingham, England. (My father, Roy Kindred's P-47 Thunderbolt had been shot down in January, 1945 and she was a widow with a 2 year old.) I met my Uncle Bob when I was 8 or 9 and we moved to NYC. My opinion then and now was that he was one of the finest people I've ever met. He was all about family, faith and patriotism. How he remained so optimistic given the job he held as an NYPD officer is amazing. He (and Aunt Kay) did a wonderful job raising a large family and I am privileged and blessed to have known him.

McGowan family, 
I am not sure if my small missive was accepted, so if you would please email me at mn4470@aol.com I appreciate it.
My parents, James and Mary Comerford, were invited and came to your parents 50 anniversary party in Scarsdale. 
My dad, now passed, grew up with Bobby, and kept in touch despite the fact that Bobby went into the police and not the Fire Dept as he should have,have, ha!
My mother, still living in Bethpage, Long Island, remembers Bobby and May well; and misses them both very much.
Praise the Lord, and "Up the Irish"

Mark Comerford
mn4470@aol.com

Dear McGowan Family,
    Nearly 60 years ago in St. Jerome's Parish in Flatbush, I had the privilege of meeting the magnificent Bob McGowan.  He and his wonderful brother, Cy, were in charge of the new Little League baseball that was starting in the parish.  I happened to be a manager on one of the teams at the time.  I was 14 years younger than Bob, but I was aware of his greatness even then.  His calmness, his inner joy, his high moral code impressed me greatly.  If anyone were looking for a role model, they'd need to look no further than Bob McGowan.  He left a powerful imprint on my spirit that will be with me always.
  To the McGowan family, I offer my sincere condolences.  To Bob himself I say: Thank you, Bob, for touching my life with your amazing goodness.  You are still my all time hero!

With deep respect and admiration,
Bill Kelly

It is with profound sadness that I tell you all today about the passing of my father-in-law, Robert McGowan. I don't sprinkle my conversation with the word blessed that often but I was truly blessed to have this man in my life. 
Bob was truly a larger than life figure. The kind that could only have existed in the mid 20th Century. At 19 he was in the U.S. Infantry and fought and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge.( Think you're a tough MF because you have a tattoo? Try hand-to-hand combat to the death with a Preludin-fueled Nazi up to your knees in a French bog and then we'll talk.). He was badly wounded in France and almost lost his leg.( His shrapnel filled thigh would remain an inconvenience to his sports-filled life.)
Post WWII he joined the NYPD and rose to the rank of Chief Inspector. He then ran the Task Force Against Organized Crime under the Reagan Administration. 
He was from the era where things were black or white. No hemming and hawing about whether or not the military-industrial complex or the oil industry was influencing foreign policy. (Nazis invading Polandnot much of a decision tree.) Even though he maintained this black/white perspective into an era of anything but black/white decisions, he was open to listening to your point of view. A rare quality.
He was married (on St. Patrick's Day) and for over 60 years took his bride to the NY St. Patrick's Day Parade and then to McGowan's Pub (no relation) to celebrate. 
But even with all of this, his greatest achievement was being a father. He had 8 children and although he was strict disciplinarian he really led by example and, to this day, they all have no greater joy than being in his presence and being together. Sadly for our culture this is an almost unheard of occurrence. 
At age 92 he still lived alone in his big Tudor house and something was always happening there. Maybe my nephew Bobby and my son Johnny with their bandmates were passing through NY on tour. Forget the Tribeca parties and hotel, they were heading to Papa's (They threw him an impromptu musicale in his living room). Maybe some of the West Coast family might be in town for a couple of weeks or the New England branch down for a visit or just some of the local family over to watch a game or just have dinner. Christmas and Thanksgiving was everything you would imagine. All his kids, grandkids and now even great grandkids. And then there were the bi-annual Family Reunions. This is an event my children would never consider missing. To be with their cousins, aunts, uncles and Papa! Who gets that in their lives?
My mother-in-law, we called Meme, died 8 years ago and he missed her every day. He told me he wanted to be with her and his last words were I miss my wife. 
His was a life well lived. This is the measure of a man. Bye Papa! See you on the other side. Say hi to Meme for me.

The world lost a hero yesterday. Not one that throws balls around to win some game. The world lost a real hero that fought Nazi's with his bare hands and took down organized crime with what would be considered ancient technology by today's standards. Most importantly he was the father of 8 children. His upbringing of these children shaped them into the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I cannot take one breath without giving this man some sort of gratitude. Your legend will live forever. When my father's mother passed away not long ago I stood by this great man's side at her funeral. When people started to weep tears of sadness, he said, no one should be crying tears of sadness but spreading tears of joy in celebration of her life. To everyone that has been crushed by Papa's death I want you to remember his words. The family he has created will continue to grow. The seeds he has planted and watered for the past 92 years has created a glorious family tree consisting of the most mentally stable people I have had the pleasure of knowing. The family he has created is not only enormous in size but enormous in character and tradition. Knowing what he has created is enough for me to celebrate his life. Your country, family and friends will miss you but I know you are far from gone, your blood and spirit still runs through your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You are part of me, I thank you for everything you have done.

we were honored to have met him so many years ago when he visited California.  we send condolences to the entire McGowan family from the McCann family.

The Cusick family sends their condolences. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolenses to the McGowen family.  May his soul be swiftly welcomed into paradise.  He was such a loving and gentle person who certainly made a great difference with his life.

I do remember him being a perfect gentleman.My prayers go out to his family.

You can imagine my surprise as a young police officer when my childhood swimming coach at St, Jerome's school (Bob and Kathy were in my classes) in Flatbush arrived at the 48 Pct. as my new C.O. Insp. Bob McGowan. He exhibited the same sense of hard work and fairness with us police officers and the community as he did years before as a coach. May he rest in peace.

               Jim Mauritzen

Always a gentleman and a great boss. May he rest in eternal peace.

As a young investigator,I remember him as a consummate gentleman and professional.My prayers are with the family at this time.

I Always enjoyed visiting with Bob at the Friendly Sons events. His smile and laugh lit up the room! God Bless!
Frank McLaughlin

Thank you for your service to our country and the NYPD. Rest in peace as you were certainly a member of the greatest generation ! 
Tom Fitzgerald Past President Retired Dets. Assoc.NYPD

OBITUARY

Robert J. McGowan

July 21, 1922 – June 12, 2015

Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes

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