Joseph Robert McGowan

(Asbury Park Press)

JOSEPH ROBERT
MC GOWAN
AGE: 72
PORT MONMOUTH
Joseph Robert McGowan, 72, of Port Monmouth, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at home with his loving wife at his side. He fought a long heroic battle with his illness to the very end. He was born Oct. 9, 1936 in Detroit, Mich. He moved to New Jersey and eventually settled in Port Monmouth in 1988. Joseph enjoyed working in sales until his retirement in 1992. He was proud U.S. Navy veteran and a communicant of St. Catherine's Church, Middletown. He will always be remembered for the love and dedication he bestowed upon his family, as well as his humor, generosity, and kindness that he shared so freely with all who knew him. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents, James and Gertrude Travis McGowan. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Patricia Ann Shirkey McGowan; his loving daughters, Susan Torphy and her husband Patrick of Port Monmouth, Colleen Torphy of Port Monmouth, and Eileen Tomanek and her husband Chet of Leonardo; his sisters and brother, Patricia Ciasulli of Florida, James McGowan and his wife Donna of Florida, and Kathleen Dallolio and her husband Dr. Stephen of Florida; his loving grandchildren, Kristina Maziarski and her husband John, Nicole McGowan-Miotto and her husband Tom, and Tyler Tomanek; and his five great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to visit from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 and 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at the Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 3269 Highway 35, Hazlet. A Funeral Liturgy celebrating his life will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. In respect of Joseph's wishes, he will be cremated privately.