Tribute Wall
Friday
24
June
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, June 24, 2011
ST James Church
12 Franklin Street
Danielson, Connecticut, United States
Friday
24
June
Interment at: South Cemetery -Brooklyn
Friday, June 24, 2011
South Cemetery -Brooklyn
Brooklyn, Connecticut, United States
Additional Obit Info
Maurice Francis Bowen, 77, of Brooklyn passed away on Monday June 20, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Eleanor F. Bowen. He was born in Waterbury on November 14, 1933 to Francis and Margaret Bowen.
Maury graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Maury proudly served his country as a First Lieutenant in the Army. He spent four years in France. He returned to his native Connecticut in 1960. He worked at Roger’s Corporation from 1966 to 1991. He was involved with all aspects of life in Brooklyn. He served six years on the Board of Education, four years on the Board of Finance, nine years as a Selectman and six years as the First Selectman. Highlights of his political career include ; replacing the Wolf heads on the Israel Putnam statue, establishing the Korean and Vietnam Memorials, obtaining the property for the Riverwalk, and his ten years of dedication to get Brooklyn one zip code. He was instrumental in raising over $50,000 to restore the steeple on the
Old Brooklyn Meeting House. He taught at Quinebaug Valley Community College and he was on the building commission for the Brooklyn Town Library. Maury was happiest when he was spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved his summers in Gloucester, Ma. which was like a second home to him.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor and his three daughters, Maura Bowen, Stacey (David) Katz, Thera (Andy) Stack, and his daughter in law, Cheryl Bowen. His three sisters, Margie Farren, Arelene Sullivan and Marilyn Nicholson, survive him. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, whom he adored, Jeremy (Gretchen) Jax, Meghan (Paul Gervais) Jax, Kayla Jax, Melissa, Michael and Rachel Katz and Sam and Allie Stack and his brother’s in-law and many nieces and nephews. His son Gregory Charles Bowen predeceased him. He enriched the lives of everyone he met. He will be forever in our hearts.
The Funeral will be Friday, June 24, 2011 at 9:15 AM from Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street Danielson, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson, CT, followed by Military Honors. Calling Hours Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Brooklyn Town
Library, PO Box 357, Brooklyn, CT 06234. To share a memory with his family “Light a Candle” at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com
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Barb and Jon Horowitz posted a condolence
We knew Maury through our very long-lived and long-loved friendship with Stacey and Dave. Maury and El's time-share at Newport RI provided the seed that blossomed into an annual reunion for the Katz family, our family, and several other families. His good nature and love of family and life permeated our Newport conversations. It is only fitting, then, that Maury's generosity spawned such strong and lasting relationships for his grandchildren. And now, after a long and fruitful life, he has found peace. We send our deep-felt love. Barb & Jon Horowitz
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Molly Truesdale posted a condolence
To all of the Bowen Family,
So sorry for your loss of Maury. He was such a leader in our community and always had a smile on his face.
God Bless. Molly and Ken Truesdale
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Sherri Soucy posted a condolence
Elle & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Maury was such a wonderful person and was like a father & at time like my grandfather. I will miss him so very much. He did so much for me and he also did so much for this community. I will never forget him. He will be another angel looking over my shoulder. I was blessed to have him as my friend. Love to all of you. Sherri, Cliff, Brittni & Cole
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Kayla Jax posted a condolence
You have enriched my life so dearly, and stepped beyond the normal role of grandfather. You forever are my greatest hero papa. I love you so much, and miss you more than any words can describe.
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Arlene Sullivan posted a condolence
One of the happiest memories I have of my beautiful brother is on my wedding day.
He called me from France to let me know that Eleanor and him were thinking of me with love. The first thing that I said to my "future husband" when my Dad walked me down the aisle was: "My brother called me"! It was so special. I love you my brother. I'll miss you always but I know how happy you are now being with Greg, Mommy and Daddy; also my beloved husband Tom. Rest in peace with Jesus.
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Anne Bradley posted a condolence
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Anne and Dan
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Nancy and Mario La Rocca posted a condolence
Unlce Maury, rest in peace. Please give that cousin of mine and my daddy a kiss from us. I will always keep you in my heart and take my children one day to play in your partk. As a little girl, I remember you telling me stories about the grandparents I never knew as a way of keeping them close to you I am sure! I will do the same with my kids and share wonderful memories of you! I will love and miss you always.
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Irene Girouard posted a condolence
Dear Eleanor and Family,
Maury has a special part in my heart! Marilyn and I have been best friends since our kindergarten days. Since he was the only male of the family, he got all the love and attention he needed from Mom and all of his sisters! He was so smart, loving, and giving; and, he remained faithful to his Catholic upbringing sharing his talents with community, church, children, and comrades. He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him!
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maura bowen posted a condolence
My beautifuly daddy, my best friend and my hero. I love you so much and miss you more than words can say. I am glad you are with Greg, I know how much you missed him and I know you are looking down on us, showering all with all your love. forever your daughter
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Jean Wengertsman posted a condolence
Uncle Maury so loved life; this is evident through all of his business and community involvement. I believe his proudest accomplishment was having El as his loving wife as they lovingly raised their four children. The joy and laughter amoung the Bowen family is undoubtably contagious. I have fond memories of summer vacations in the little house in New Britain and then in the newly built Brooklyn home. Maury taught me to ride on the little bike from Frnace. I will miss you and now you are home with Jesus, Greg, Grandma and Grandpa.
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Marilyn Nicholson posted a condolence
I have so many wonderful memories of my brother, but the best one was watching the sun rise over the Grand Canyon with him, El and my sister Marge. I will always cherish that trip. I'll miss you my Honey Man.
Love, Stringbean
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Rick & Eva Farren posted a condolence
Aunt Eleanor, Maura, Stacey, & Thera just want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss seeing Uncle Maury's smiling face and enjoying all the stories he would tell us when visiting. He was a wonderful man who touched many lives. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to meet him. We love you all.
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Arlene Sullivan posted a condolence
You have to be so proud of your daughter Maura. She won the election!
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Debby Farren posted a condolence
I remember you bringing the first VW Beetle to America. We lived in the projects and I was about 8yrs. old. Not to forget that red Christmas Tree ornaments do produce RED tomatoes...and of course, you cannot catch nightcrawlers without peanut butter on your fingers!!! The greatest kidder and lover of life and family!!! Heaven is blessed to have you!
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Don Francis posted a condolence
Elle, Maura and family
It is with great sadness that i learned of Maury's passing . I often think of the committments he made to a better Brooklyn and his many successes.His positive outlook on life no matter what the challenge rewarded all of us he touched, serving with him on the Board of Selectmen was a honor.I always considered him a friend and loved to talk UCONN sports with him . My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Don Francis
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Diane Cimino posted a condolence
My Mr. B...here and there, in and out, up and down, happiest just to see us all being happy...welcoming smile, holding your hand when he sees you, pulling little pranks...making tomato soup, showing his slides, carrying three kids at once...8 in a Volks, 1st color t.v. on Slater Rd., Peppy the dog...Stacey's lost, Thera's nude in the driveway, visitors from England...Grandma and Grandpa Bunny's trailer, Eastham, Cape Cod, sitting on the front porch with Mrs. B watching for the babysitter to bring the kids back from Guida's...happiest just to see us all being happy.
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Sylvia and Robert Miller posted a condolence
We will remember Maury as a good friend and someone who always had a positive outlook on life. He greeted everyone with a smile and he gave of himself to the community in so many different ways. His good works will live after him for many years.
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Dennis McDonald posted a condolence
Dear Bowen Family:
The last time I saw Maury was about 4 or 5 years ago when we were both filling up at a gas station in Brooklyn, CT. I hadn’t lived there since 1980 but he recognized me right away.
Before this, I hadn’t seen Maury since the late 1970’s when he golfed at the rather “challenging” golf course I was managing on South Street in Brooklyn.
When I say “challenging”, I mean its state was somewhere between a cow pasture and Augusta National, and more the former than the latter. For this reason (and also because most golfers are not especially cheerful or complimentary when their game sucks), work was not the steady stream of encouragement or “atta-boys” that I wished it could be.
Now, some of these less than positive characters would wear on the spirit throughout the day, and the only way they cheered me up was when they left. Not so with Maury. He was so relentlessly upbeat that I always felt better for having seen him.
So, anyway, we were gassing up and catching up on days past. Since both Stacey and Greg had helped me out at the course during my brief tenure there, I asked how they were doing now.
Well, it was like a light bulb switched on inside him when he was telling me what they both were up to now- marriage, grandchildren and the like. You see, the pronoun “I” was foreign to him except when he talked about his family. He was truly proud of his extended family but not proud in the boastful or possessive sense.
He was proud in that he knew he was fortunate and blessed and it was obvious to me that he did not “own” his family; if anything, I think it was the other way around. I think he knew that his loved ones belong to the Creator and that his responsibility was to be the best loving guide and steward of these most precious gifts bestowed upon him.
He was one of the very, very few truly decent persons I have been fortunate to have crossed paths with. The Bowen family is the living proof and testimony to the power of love, caring and compassion and its ability to affect others in a positive way.
True story:
When I first met Stacey, she was emptying her car’s ashtray in the parking lot across from the clubhouse where I was sitting. In a fit of self-righteous indignation, I stormed across to the car and gave her a strong indication of my displeasure.
Despite this less than ideal first meeting, something about her rather unusual personality (I was going to say goofy, but I know better now) led me to hire both her and Greg a bit later.
I think their inherited (I blame Maury) gifts of impish humor, wit and of not taking oneself too seriously (as I apparently did) somehow managed to defuse any attempts to stay mad at them too long. They simply would not allow it.
It seemed to me that a wink or a wry smile from them could magically deflate pomposity and self-importance. This may have caused no end of discomfort to their teachers who lacked humor.
So be it. Some people get it – some don’t.
I think I got it.
Love and peace to all of your delightful family,
Dennis McDonald
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Arlene Bowen Sullivan posted a condolence
Another member of our family my brother. Patty and Andy are grandparents to Brianna Lee. Life goes on in the Bowen family. You're a great, great Uncle! Thank Jesus for us.
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John milardo posted a condolence
Maurice was a good man. I was friends with his son Greg for a long time. My prayers go to the family and friends of maurice and Greg.
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Joe Voccio posted a condolence
We recently returned to Connecticut from a brief vacation and learned of Maury's passing. While I knew this time would eventually come, I was hoping that it wouldn't...at least for a long while.
Maury introduced me to public service in Brooklyn and I enjoyed every minute that I served with him. He was a dedicated and honorable steward for the Town of Brooklyn and many of its residents unknowingly enjoy the benefits of his hard work. I was hoping that he might get another ride down Route 169 in the Memorial Day Parade or, better yet, see the finished work of his vision for Riverside Park. I am certain he will be with us when that time comes but certainly not in the same way we wanted him to be.
His service aside, I will always remember his passion for the local teams, his laughter after he teased me and, most of all, the time he spent with my wife and daughters whenever he would see them.
The Brooklyn community has lost a great champion and, on behalf of my own family, I extend my sincerest sympathies to Eleanor and the entire Bowen family.
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Friday, December 19, 2014
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