Brendan Bernard 'Mac' McGowan
Courtland
Funeral for Brendan Bernard "Mac" McGowan, 87, of Courtland will be Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Courtland Baptist Church with Bro. Sam Wallace, Bro. Scotty Letson and Bro. Bill Reding officiating. Burial will be in Courtland City Cemetery. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 at Elliott Funeral Home.
Mr. McGowan, who passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at his home, was born April 21, 1923, in Boston, Mass., to William and Margaret McGowan. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Sarah Reding McGowan, his parents, and his brother, Bill McGowan.
Mr. Mac attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School and Jamaica Plains High School in Boston, Mass. He entered the Army Air Force during World War II and was assigned to Courtland Air Base. In Courtland he met and married Sarah Elizabeth Reding. At the end of World War II, Mac and Sarah returned to Boston where he worked at Devoe and Reynolds. Moving back to Courtland in 1950, he opened Mac McGowan's Grocery downtown. Through the years, Mr. Mac was also a house painter and an employee of Champion Paper Company.
Mr. McGowan was a member of Courtland Baptist Church where he served faithfully as organist for 46 years. He was an avid gardener and landscaper and was involved in many community activities throughout his life. Mr. Mac served on the Courtland Industrial Board for 40 years and was awarded Courtland's Citizen of the Year in 1996.
He is survived by his four children, Margaret M. Lindsay of Athens, Marsha M. Zenanko of Jacksonville, B.B. McGowan Jr. of Decatur and Robert R. McGowan of Courtland; eight grandchildren, Donald Perry Dickey, Christopher Bernard Dickey, Brandon McGowan, Maleah M. Terry, Michael McGowan, Natasha Zenanko, Alex Zenanko and Megan McGowan; three great-grandchildren, Marley Terry, Gavriel Brendan Zenanko and Kamdon McGowan; one sister, Dorothy Mortellite; and one brother, Donald McGowan.
Pallbearers will be Perry Dickey, Chris Dickey, Alex Zenanko, Michael McGowan, Brandon McGowan and Robert McGowan.
Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Courtland Baptist Church, Gid Reding, Buddy Simmons, Rudy McCarley, Dwight Crow, Kenny Reding and George Wendling.
Mr. McGowan's family wishes to thank Dr. James Boyle and all Hospice of the Valley caregivers.