Richard McGowan, WWII veteran, was 86

Richard McGowan, a World War II veteran and Riverdale resident since 1970, died on Aug. 30 from pulmonary fibrosis. He was 86.

Mr. McGowan was born on June 24, 1925 in Manhattan. He attended St. John’s School on Kingsbridge Avenue and graduated from the second class of Cardinal Hayes High School. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces two weeks before he turned 18 and fought in World War II as a radio operator on a B-29 bomber and was stationed on Tinian Island in the South Pacific. His missions included POW supply drops in Japan. 

After the war, Mr. McGowan attended Fordham University under the G.I. Bill of Rights. 

He married and he and his wife, Gloria McGowan, moved to Riverdale. 

Mr. McGowman worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 35 years in the radar installation department. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, learning foreign languages, spending time with his family, traveling and attending reunions of the Sixth Bomb Group, comprising veterans who were stationed on Tinian Island during World War II.

Ms. McGowan described him as “a wonderful husband, father and grandpa who adored his family.”

Mr. McGowan’s daughter, Sarah Malgioglio, said he was “caring, compassionate and patient.”

She also said he was “a perfect gentleman” and was always very honest, kind and witty.

A funeral was held on Sept. 3 at St. Gabriel’s Church in Riverdale. Mr. McGowan is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, N.Y.

Mr. McGowan is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Riverdale; daughter, Sarah Malgioglio, of Valhalla, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Colin and Gianna.