Obituary of Hugh T. McGowan

   After 98 beautiful years, Hugh T. McGowan of Katonah, NY died peacefully at home with family by his side on August 28. Known as “Poppy”, his wit and wisdom will be missed by many. 

   Born on May 16, 1926 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (St. Ephrem’s), to Hugh and Florence (Clancey), he attended St. Francis Preparatory School and St. Francis College in Brooklyn and is a proud graduate of Fort Schuyler (SUNY Maritime College) and NYU College of Dentistry.  During the Korean War Hugh served as a dentist in the US Navy, USNR, for 2 years, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  In 1954 he moved to the country, Katonah, with his best friend and loving wife, Alice.  There he practiced dentistry for 45 years, raised 7 children in a beautiful community and he was Poppy to many.

   As a young boy he summered at Breezy Point where he learned to swim and body surf; he was an usher at Ebbets Field and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). As an adult he loved sailing and tennis. He was involved with Boy Scouts, CCD, the Katonah Town Pool, and many other local activities. Hugh also adored Nantucket where he introduced his family to the wonders of the ocean. Along with his wife, he was a devoted member of St. Mary of the Assumption where he was a Eucharistic Minister as well as an altar server.  Hugh’s greatest loves were his wife and his rather large family in whom he took immense pride and joy.

 Hugh was the longest serving "most senior man" in the Katonah Fire Department.

   Hugh was predeceased by his daughter, Anne Marie, and his wife, Alice.  He is survived by his 3 sons: Hugh F (Valerie), Thomas, and Peter (Antonette) and his 3 daughters: Mary Pat (James), Alice (Edward), and Catherine (Thomas) as well as 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and god-children. 

   The family will receive friends at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY on Friday, September 6 from 4-8pm.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 55 Valley Road, Katonah, NY on Saturday, September 7 at 11am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Somers, NY.

   Hugh prioritized finding joy in life and sharing it with others.  His family asks that you do the same – do what brings you joy and share it with others.