Alexander M. McGowan

Alexander M. “Al” McGowan, 83, of Carbondale, died Wednesday, November 28th at home.  His wife is the former Ann Spangenberg.

Born in Carbondale, son of the late Alexander and Imelda Sullivan McGowan, he was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Al was a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.  He was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale; while working for the USPS, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Scranton and his Master’s Degree from Marywood University.  Prior to retirement, he was employed as a Special Education Teacher at Wayne Highlands School District by the NEIU 19.  Al was very active in local youth sports.  He was one of the founders of the Carbondale Tee Ball League and he coached Little League for many years.  Al was also active with the Special Olympics, and he coached basketball and baseball for his students at the high school.  He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Carbondale.

Al was an intelligent, honorable, hard-working man, a loyal parishioner of St. Rose Church, and an active and generous contributor to the community and local charities.  But, the center of his life was his family.  He was a loving husband to his wife of 57 years, Ann, a devoted father and a supportive grandfather.  Ever present at any event he could possibly attend, he found his truest joy in the success and achievements of his children and grandchildren.  A kind and gentle cornerstone of many generations that will truly be missed.

Also surviving are three sons: Alexander McGowan and wife Diane, Robbinsville, NJ; Joseph McGowan and wife Elizabeth, Erial, NJ; Robert McGowan and wife Valerie, Jermyn; two daughters: Ann Marie Rusnak and husband Tony, Greenfield Twp.; Rosemary Gallagher and husband Dan, Palmer; two sisters: Mary Williams, Lancaster; Ellen Farrell and husband Tom, Carbondale; 13 grandchildren: Alex, Justin, Shay, Jesse, Katelyn, Joey, Anthony, Alexandria, Danny, Timmy, Brian, Matthew, and Riley; a great grandson: Urijah; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a sister: Imelda McGowan.

The funeral will be Monday, December 3rd, from the Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Avenue, Carbondale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Interment will follow in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.  Friends may call Sunday, from 2 to 5 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Williams Syndrome Association, https://williams-syndrome.org/make-donation

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