Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A. (1914-1998)
Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A. entered eternal life on July 26, 1998.
Thomas Augustine McGowan was born on August 11, 1914 in Mechanicville, New York to James and Margaret (Feeney) McGowan. He had two brothers and one sister. He was baptized on August 23, 1914 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mechanicville.
After receiving his elementary education at Public School 3, Mechanicville, Thomas attended Mechanicville High School. Following his graduation, he worked for a time as an electrician. In 1937, he studied Latin as a post--graduate student at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York.
Thomas was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 9, 1938. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1939 and solemn (permanent) vows on September 10, 1942. He was awarded a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1942. He then studied theology from 1942 to 1946 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. On May 22, 1945, he was ordained a priest in Washington.
Upon completion of his studies at Augustinian College in 1946, Father McGowan was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher. In 1951, he became Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. He was assigned to Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, as a teacher in 1962. During this time, he also served as Sub-Prior (Assistant Superior) of the Augustinian community there.
In 1963, Father McGowan was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Flint, Michigan, where he served until 1967. In that year, he was transferred to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a teacher, Disciplinarian and Assistant Business Manager of the school. Father McGowan returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, in 1968, serving as a teacher until 1971. He was also Alumni Director there from 1971 to 1973. He moved back to St. Augustine Parish, Detroit, in 1973 and served as Associate Pastor. He also was Prior of the Augustinian community there from 1982 to 1989.
Father McGowan retired in 1989, residing first at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, until 1993. He then lived at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, until his deteriorating health caused him to enter Mercy Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Father McGowan died on July 26, 1998 after suffering a heart attack. He is buried at St. John Cemetery, Schaghticoke, New York.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
