Thomas George McGowan

Thomas G. McGowan, 76, of Sandusky, passed peacefully Saturday,  August 5, 2023, at his home.

   Born on September, 23,1946, in Port Clinton, Ohio the son of William Frank and Carolyn Theresa (Purpero) McGowan. He was baptized on October 31, 1946, and received his First Holy Communion on June 9, 1957. He graduated from Port Clinton High School in 1965. While in high school, he wrestled and was a member of the 1962 football team which was inducted into the PCHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. Tom owned and operated three swimming pool stores (Ohio Pools) for many years and later joined the Erie County Court of Common Pleas as a courtroom bailiff until his retirement. Tom served on the Community Corrections Board for 10 years. 

   He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he served as a leader of multiple faith formation groups such as RCIA and Landings. Recently, a significant part of his life was spent in personal daily prayer for family, friends, and acquaintances. He was active in local theater both on and off the stage at Harlequins Sandusky, Ohio and Town and Country Theatre, Norwalk, Ohio. Tom also wrote plays that were produced in various theaters around Ohio. He had a great love of music and appreciated listening to many styles and sharing those with his family. Throughout his lifetime, he was a prolific reader. Tom was a long-time member of the IAB Club in Sandusky, Ohio. He was an avid sports fan with The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Guardians, but his favorite sports to follow were those of his three grandchildren. Tom also enjoyed cooking for his family, horse racing, boating and fishing.  He was also a competitive weightlifter for many years. 

   Tom is survived by his son, Charlie (Dina) McGowan; and his three grandchildren, Maggie Rose McGowan, Carl Thomas McGowan, and Gretchen Constance McGowan; he is also survived by Charlie’s mother, Carol Jackman (Craig Jackman) and her son (Charlie’s brother) Jerry Batcha. 

   He is preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, William F. McGowan Jr. and John McGowan. 

   Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023,  from 6-8 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Funeral services will be held Friday morning, August 18, 2023, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, starting at 9:30 am with eulogies and a reading by the family and friends of Tom.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 am with Fr. Matt Frisbee officiating.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, in Port Clinton, OH.

   The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870. 

   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Tom's family at davidfkoch.com.

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