Owen J. Tegan Jr.

Owen J. Tegan Jr., 87, of Narragansett, passed away on Thursday, May 29th. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on July 7, 1937, to his loving parents, the late Owen and Eleanor (Baker) Tegan. He was the devoted husband of 59 years to Elizabeth A. (Smith) Tegan.

Owen met his wife, Elizabeth (Betty), at a dance in San Francisco—neither had planned on attending, but friends insisted. That night, he wrote a note saying, “I am going to marry Betty Smith.” A year later to the day, on January 22, 1966, they were married.

After ten happy years in California, Owen and Betty moved to Connecticut to raise their family. His mother, Eleanor, lived with them for 22 years, sharing a household filled with warmth and humor. Later, they moved to Rhode Island, where they treasured time with their five grandchildren as they grew.

Owen began his career working for a railroad company in Arizona, then joined a sign company in California. That company later asked him to open an office in New York, which brought the family to Connecticut. He eventually built his own business, managing sign programs for major corporations nationwide for 20 years. Betty worked alongside him, managing the finances—they made a great team.

Family was always at the heart of Owen’s life. Summers were spent at a beach cottage on Great Island in Narragansett, and every year included a special family camping trip to Lake Taghkanic in New York—a place he especially loved. Winters brought family ski weekends at Okemo Mountain in Vermont. These simple traditions created memories that will be cherished for generations.

Above all, Owen found his greatest joy in family, especially his grandchildren. His warmth, kindness, and quick wit touched all who knew him. He loved writing poems, and he left us with this reflection.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Don’t fight your death-because die we must.

Embrace your death and bear it no censure;

It might just be the next great adventure

And if not? So what.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Swanson (David Swanson); his son, David Tegan (Sharon Tegan); and his grandchildren, Max, Clara, and Zoe Swanson, and Noelle and Owen Tegan. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Tegan. He was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Tegan, and sister-in-law, Amy Tegan.

A private service will be held for the family. A celebration of Owen’s life will be held this August at Lake Taghkanic—one of his favorite places.