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Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A. (1914-1998)

Rev. Thomas A. McGowan, O.S.A. entered eternal life July 26, 1998.

Thomas Augustine McGowan was born August 11, 1914 in Mechanicville, New York to James and Margaret (Feeney) McGowan. He had two brothers and one sister. He was Baptized August 23, 1914 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mechanicville.

Thomas received his elementary education at Public School 3, Mechanicville. He graduated from Mechanicville High School and worked for a time as an electrician.

In 1937 he studied Latin as a post--graduate student at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1938. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1939, and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1942.

Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, awarded him a B. A. in Philosophy in 1942. He then studied Theology from 1942 to 1946 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest May 22, 1945 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. He became Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, in 1951. In 1962 he was assigned to Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, as a Teacher. During this time he also served as Sub-Prior (Assistant Superior) of the Augustinian community there.

Father McGowan was in 1963 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 Teacher, Disciplinarian and Assistant Business Manager of the school.

He returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, in 1968, serving as Teacher until 1971. He was Alumni Director at St. Rita High School from 1971 to 1973.

In 1973 Father McGowan moved back to St. Augustine Parish, Detroit, where he was 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, and then 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.

He died July 26, 1998 after suffering a heart attack. He is buried at St. John Cemetery, Schaghticoke, New York.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.