JAY MCGOWAN MARIAVILLE – Jay McGowan, 60, formerly of Sullivan, died unexpectedly Tuesday, July 25, 2006, at an Ellsworth healthcare facility after a recent surgery. Jay was born Jan. 7, 1946, in Millville, N.J., the son of the late Rev. James and Doris (Brooks) McGowan. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a sergeant during the Vietnam Era. After his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, Jay attended Stockton State College in New Jersey, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in marine sciences. In 1981, Jay and his family moved to Maine where he was employed by the Department of Marine Resources as a marine biologist. In this position, Jay worked tirelessly to insure the safety of local shell fishing areas by monitoring the red tide cycles. Jay was an avid outdoorsman; his passions were fishing, hunting, gardening, growing fruit and nut trees, fishing and hunting, bird watching and fishing and hunting. Jay shared 35 years of marriage with Christina (Seifert) McGowan of Mariaville. In addition to his wife, family members include, Sean McGowan and his fianc?e, Rebecca, of Mariaville, Michael McGowan and his wife, Daron and their daughter, Deanna, of Ellsworth, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl., Jesse McGowan, who is currently serving in Iraq; his brother, Jack McGowan and his wife, Sue, of Vermont; and three family pets, Dee-Oh-Gee, M. Askew and Mitzi. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held 2 p.m. Monday, July 31, at the McGowan’s home, 11 Whispering Pines Dr., Mariaville, with the Revs. Brenda Leclerc and Wayne McDonald officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s memory may be made to the Franklin United Methodist Church, care of Barrie Stager, 109 Eastbrook Rd., Franklin, ME 04634. Arrangements are by the Bragdon-Kelly-Campbell Funeral Home, Ellsworth. For more information, please visit our website at www.bragdonkelly.com
JAY MCGOWAN
