John R. Gowell

John R. Gowell, of Wakefield, died Monday at home. He was the husband of Nina F. (Nix) Gowell, they were married for 59 years. Born in Portland, Maine, he was a son of the late Ernest E. and Ruby B. (Randall) Gowell and he graduated from South Portland High School in 1934, and the University of Maine, Orono in 1938. While in college, he served as President of his Freshman, Sophomore and Senior Class. He was awarded a watch at his Commencement as the Class member who had contributed the most to the betterment of the University. An accomplished collegiate athlete, he participated in Track and Football and had served as President of the University Athletic Association. He equaled the world record in the 45 yard hurdle event of 5 ¾ seconds at the National Intercollegiate Championship track meet in Boston in 1938 and he also won first place in the 120 yard high hurdle event at the New England Intercollegiate track meet at Brown University, May 1938. He was inducted into the University of Maine Hall of Fame. Mr. Gowell served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy during WW II. He was assigned to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, DC with responsibility for designing, installing and monitoring the quality control procedures of all factories producing ammunition for the Navy. He was cited by an Admiral for his outstanding performance and results. In 1954 he joined Bostitch, where he served as Plant Manager and General Manger. He was engaged in the planning, layout and supervision of construction of the new plant in East Greenwich. He retired as Vice President of M. Berger Company in Pittsburgh in 1980. His earlier working career included management positions at Remington Arms Company, Booz, Allen and Hamilton and General Electric. Besides his wife he is survived by three children, Meredith L. Gowell of New York, NY, Melinda G. Rackoff of Leesburg, VA , John R. “Jay” Gowell of East Greenwich; five grandchildren, Katharine R. Rackoff, Elizabeth B. Rackoff, Emily H. Gowell, Matthew W. Gowell and Julia E. Gowell. He was the father of the late Candace Gowell; husband of the late Elizabeth J. (Lee) Gowell, and brother of the late Earle Gowell and Ralph Gowell. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 11 AM in the Kingston Congregational Church, Kingston. Burial with military honors will follow in Old Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Kingston Congregational Church, 2610 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI 02881 or The University of Maine Track and Field Gift Account, c/o Track and Field Office, 216 Maine Gym, Orono, ME 04469.