This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved Father, Brother, Friend, Harry E. McGowan Jr., born on September 26, 1941 and passed away on June 16, 2017.
I have uploaded an audio file of Todd Carton paying tribute to Harry on TerpTalk Radio - it's worth a listen. (thanks Todd we are forever grateful)
Thank you to all who have left kind tributes, stories and photographs of Harry (Dad, Uncle Mic). We have added a timeline of Harry's life in the "His Life" section and would love your help filling in important dates, milestones or anecdotes. feel free to post directly to this site or email Micheal (Harry's son) with any items and he will post them - email address: mmcgowan@kaadesigngroup.com
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Harry's name may be made to the University of Maryland Women's Volleyball Locker Suite Program.
(Please make checks payable to UMCP Foundation, write "Volleyball Team Suite - Harry McGowan" in the Memo field, send to 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20740)
A Memorial service was held Monday, June 19, 2017 at 11:00 am at the University of Maryland Main Chapel, (1101 Memorial Chapel, College Park, MD 20742).
The family is hosted a "tailgate" after the service at American Legion Post 136, (6900 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, Maryland).
Please check back here often for more information - we will be updating this site regularly.
Tributes
Leave a tributeThe Marines’ Hymn ends with the following lyrics,
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines
Rest assured, today Harry is on guard duty.
found her cousin Harry. Trish had done so much family research and when she finally connected it was like they had known each other forever. The smile on her face was priceless. They would talk on the phone for hours Harry telling her what he found on the computer at the library that day and Trish would research more as they were talking on the phone. Soon the day would come when they got to meet in Scranton and research and explore with Tom, Trish's mom and their cousins. Harry would call the house and he and I would talk and laugh I am a huge Syracuse fan and we would go back and forth about lacrosse and basketball. Sometimes football too. I had the honor to meet Harry and Tom and spend some great times with them. Harry even took me to a Terps basketball game and he showed me the ropes but not before we went and had some pre game wings! Harry and Tom made the trip to Rochester a few times and it was awesome so awesome that our 8 year old old Trish the other day I remember when Harry and Tom came to visit and we went to the park with the waterfalls, a memory he will never forget. I will always remember the joy in his face when he showed us the Giudice oil car in his train collection. Each of my kids have a memory that cousin Harry had sent them at one time or another because he knew how much they loved lacrosse and he made sure they had a piece of Terps lacrosse. The polar express he and Tom bought Trish for under the tree will always bring a smile and memory to the holidays Thank you Harry for all the wonderful memories in such a short time. You were so special to us and to Trish words can't even explain. I will never forget the day Trish walked in the room with tears in her eyes when she told me In a soft voice I found my cousin Harry. Rest in piece cousin we love you!
Being 8 years older, Harry turned out to be a big influence in my love of music. Just about every afternoon we came home from school to watch the Milt Grant Show and later American Bandstand, listening to Bill Haley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and all of the doo-wop groups. I’ve never lost the enjoyment I get from relaxing with an adult beverage while listening to my playlists. Thanx Harry.
Harry left home after high school and joined the Marines. While there were times that he must have wondered what he had done, he loved the Corps. After barely ever leaving Md., he got to see the world, from Parris Island to California, to Mt Fugi and back to the Fla Keys. When he came home from Okinawa he brought back this silk jacket with a dragon on the back for me. I was about thirteen and thought it was the coolest jacket ever. It didn’t fit me until I was in my early 20’s, but my big brother had thought enough of me to buy it for me. Thanx Harry.
Into our adult lives, like most of us, life happens and we pursue our careers, raise our families and follow our interests. Harry’s was trains and the Terps. While I never got the train bug, our whole family fervently followed the Terps. My work schedule precluded live attendance, but I remember the years when I had tickets,and meeting the many people in Harry’s Terp family, and the tailgates that started at 9:00 AM for an all day party. Even if they lost it was always a heck of a party. Thanx Harry.
My big brother was the epitome of a big old teddy bear. One of the kindest, gentlest souls you could ever meet. I’m thankful he was in my life. Rest in Peace. Thanx Harry
We unfortunately had only limited opportunities to spend time with Harry, but they were enough to acquaint us with his outstanding qualities as a person you wanted to know and befriend. We are proud to remember him as part of our family, along with Carol, Mike and Katie, and grandchildren Mallie and Erik.
I've been trying post as many pictures as we can find from Dad's past - please check them out - some are quit embarrassing others touching. All speak to the many rich experiences he had over his lifetime. Please do share your person photos or memories of Harry.
He was a member of The Rebounders, official support group for UMD Women's Basketball, and a person who we could always count on helping out with every fund raising event. Thank you, Harry. The Rebounders will miss you, especially at our games and social functions and at Looney's.
I'll carry that spirit to every Maryland game I attend and probably still have too many pre-game meals at Looney's. And the next few times I go there, I'll be certain to hug every waitress and order a Harry's special drink.
I might not have known you long but I'm privileged I had the opportunity.
Leave a Tribute
The Picture
It was 3 in the morning, I was thinking of cousin Harry. I am still so sad I never got to give him that big hug in person. It ALMOST happened, and I was close to where he lived. I must say, my vacation turned not so fun, when I heard that harry had passed away.
There was a photo my Grandmother had of two twins, I never s it until she had passed away, and found it in my mothers things. No one really knew who they were, other than they must be related to my grandma, but not even sure of that.
Fast forward, my daughter, somehow "found Harry McGowan, Jr. long story, so won't tell it all here.Harry called me, we chattered on and on....and on. I mentioned these twins....it's good I was sitting down, he said one of the twins was his grandmother!!!!
He had no idea anyone was alive anymoe from that part of the family, and I was sure no one EVER heard of Sadie and Sila. Turns out, I even had pictures of Harry's dad, and his dad's sister!! My mother DID know Lillian and her 3 boys. They even came to our house to visit!!
My Grandfather who worked for the Erie Railroad, along with some of his sons, had written diaries. My sister had them, so I borrowed them to copy every single page, never realizing I would be putting them on a disk for a cousin, I hadn't known of. I sent them to Harry, he ad them put into spirals, like a book! He was SO excited to get the diaries, and said...he was reading about his family ( and mine too...ha ha). My grandpa wrote of his every day life from when he got up, til bedtime...and LOTS of railroad info and his day at work.
I could go on and on and on, and I must say, it was like Harry and I knew each other always. We laughed a LOT and had so many fun visits on the phone. He sent me a set of Erie dishes and a big hunk of coal!! I sent him some things, lots of pictures and some Erie books etc.
I have so many memories and things Harry sent that I cherish, but most of all I cherish finally knowing of my sweet amazing cousin. I wish I could have somehow taped his phone calls so I could hear his voice, but I can hear him in my head.
I was happy to have been able to take him to this game even though he was very ill. He loved his Volley ball team.
Memories of this senior night photo
As I noted in the caption, this picture was taken in November on senior night. Harry hadn't gotten to many matches last season but he certainly picked a good one. The Terps had just brushed away Indiana in straight sets for their fourth conference win of the season.
The smiles you see on the players' faces are genuine. You only have to look at how they are all leaning toward him if you want confirmation. In fact, Harry would attend practice from time to time - the last time earlier this spring - and their smiles and greetings when they saw him were always every bit as warm. While I think it reflects on the character of the young women on the team, I think it says just as much about the man in the center of the photo, too.
Harry usually kept his emotions in check (I think that's a trait we share.) but on this night, they came quite clearly to the surface. I told Harry then that I thought the picture was a great way to cap the night and he said, "It didn't just make my night, it made my year."