RET LT JAMES McGOWAN R*3... former UFOA board member. Father of LT James McGowan Jr., also a former UFOA board member.......
REST IN PEACE BROTHER... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (US ARMY & US AIR FORCE) & FDNY PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES....
James J. McGowan, 82, of Yorktown Heights, NY passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 19, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. James was born in Astoria, Queens, NY on July 2, 1937, the son of Francis and Margaret (DeBoer) McGowan.
James joined the US Army in 1953 and after 2 years transferred to the US Air Force where he was honorably discharged after his service to our country.
James had a storied 27 year career with the NY City Fire Department. He was stationed primarily in the Bronx and Harlem and retired in 1989 with the rank of Lieutenant in Rescue 3. During his career, he earned many citations for heroism and rescues in performing his duties as a member of FDNY. He was a member of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) and was a past president of the NY State Professional Firefighters Association. He also served as the NY State Commissioner of Labor.
James was a resident of Yorktown Heights since 1996 and lived in Mahopac, NY for 29 years prior. He was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shrub Oak where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
On May 5, 1962 he married Frances Cimadomo at St. Rita?s Church in Long Island City, NY. In addition to Fran, he is survived by his son, James Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Mahopac, his daughters, Kelly Ann McGowan Mascetti and her husband, Tom of Long Beach, NY and Lori Sheldon and her husband, James of Ft. Montgomery, NY, his brother, Terrence of East Islip, NY and his 7 beloved grandchildren, Caitlyn (John), James, Chelsea, Nicole, Taylar, Michael and Mallory. James was predeceased by his brothers, Francis, John and Michael and his sisters, Barbara Garcia and Mary Garcia.
Visiting will be held on Tuesday, October 22 from 4-8 pm and Wednesday, October 23 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24 at 10 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shrub Oak with entombment to follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of James to a charity of your choice.
https://josephjsmithfuneralhome.com/obituary/james-j-mcgowan/