Kevin P. McGowan

LOWELL - Kevin Paul McGowan, 65, longtime Lowell resident, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, with loved ones by his side.

Kevin was born in Springfield, MA on April 14, 1955, beloved son of the late Thomas B. and Mary L. McGowan (Hersh). After graduating from West Springfield High School in 1973, Kevin took his athletic talent and passion for soccer to North Adams State College. As Team Captain, he led the Mohawks to two coveted Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) titles in 1976 and 1977. Soccer remained a lifelong passion for Kevin, who continued to compete on amateur teams after graduating from college.

Kevin married in 1984 and was the proud father of three daughters, who did not inherit any of his athletic talent, but did get his great hair. He worked for many years as an independent distributor for Pepperidge Farms in parts of eastern and central Massachusetts. For several years in the early 2000s, Kevin owned the Convenience Man in Chelmsford, MA and became a staple of the neighborhood for his humor, companionship, and penchant for making amazing food.  

Kevin was a lifelong fan of New England sports teams, an avid fan of the show The Simpsons from its inception, a talented cook, and a remarkably good ping-pong player. He was also a prolific reader, history buff, and home Jeopardy savant. His family will remember him for his many quirks, like a love of ketchup and pickled beets, a constant wardrobe of Champion crewneck sweatshirts, the ability to quote every Christopher Guest mockumentary, and an insistence on doing things the hard way. Through his passing, he has finally escaped the much-maligned commute over the Rourke Bridge, triumphed over his terrible Spring pollen allergy, and will never have to encounter a single cooked mushroom again. Kevin was known for his quick wit and often dark sense of humor, which stayed with him until the end. 

Kevin is survived by his daughters Kelly McGowan (Michael Jones) of Dorchester, MA, Kate McGowan (Derek Stukey) of Wilmington, MA, and Devon Wachtmeister (Kurt) of Indian Hills, CO, two grandchildren, Greta and Fredrik Wachtmeister, and the mother of his children Cynthia Larsen of Groton, MA. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased in death by his wife of 22 years, Randi Lee McGowan (Earls), and his brother Thomas “Chief” McGowan, formerly of West Springfield, MA.

Services will be private. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com 

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