Robert McGowan Obituary

Robert McGowan was faculty at Garden City High School in Garden City, NY. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Robert Mcgowan.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Apr 11, 2007
About	Bob McGowan, a fixture in the English department at Garden City High School from 1969 to 1997, passed away on April 11th at his home in East Meadow, a year and a half after his initial diagnosis of lung cancer. He was 65. Bob was popular with teachers and students alike, and cherished his many years at the high school. At his retirement dinner ten years ago, he said, in a voice full of emotion, "There are few things of which I'm prouder than having been able to say, 'I teach at Garden City High School.' I can't believe there have been many teachers anywhere who have been happier than I have been as a member of this faculty." He was also the longtime J.V. girls' tennis coach and the faculty advisor for the student newspaper, Echo. In addition to his position at the high school, Bob was an adjunct professor of English at Nassau Community College for nearly forty years. Despite his illness he continued teaching at N.C.C. up until mid-March of this year. He was also the grievance chairman for the college's Adjunct Faculty Association. He was a playoff-rated high school football referee on whom the Nassau County Football Coaches Association bestowed the 2005 Jim Barbanell Award for his decades of service. At his wake, fellow officials praised his vast knowledge of football and his willingness to serve as a mentor for newcomers, and fondly recalled his signature line, delivered tongue-in-cheek after many a game: "Well, we fooled 'em again." Bob's funeral was held at St. Brigid's Church, where he had been an active parishioner since he and his wife, Linda, were married there in 1967. In accordance with Bob's request, "Notre Dame, Our Mother," the alma mater of the University of Notre Dame-"Our Lady's university"-was sung at the funeral. Bob was Class of 1963, and Notre Dame and the faith and values it represents remained important to him throughout his life. Bob also had a degree from NYU: he studied there on a Woodrow Wilson fellowship, completing his Master's in 1966. Bob is survived by Linda; three children, Robert, Kristin, and Gregory; four grandchildren, Connor, Ryan, Emily, and Sean; two brothers, Andrew and John (Jack); and a sister, Margaret (Peggy) Clarke. (Source: Garden City News)