'Jersey Jack Bowe' A True 'Gloucesterite'
'Jersey Jack Bowe' A True 'Gloucesterite'
Monday, February 01, 2016
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNewsnet
GLOUCESTER CITY N.J. (January 31, 2016)(CNBNewsnet)— Former Gloucester City resident Jack Bowe, aka ‘Jersey Jack Bowe’, (photo) passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2016, at his home in St. Louis, Missouri.
His brother Michael, said, "Jack loved the City of Gloucester City and the people in it". Mike is a DJ who has worked in the Philadelphia/South Jersey radio market for decades.
“Growing up in the 50's he had plenty of friends. And he was very mischievous which resulted in him joining the United States Army in his late teens. In the early 60’s he was stationed for a while in Germany,” said Mike.
“He returned to the United States and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, near St Louis, Missouri. After being discharged, he settled there, married, raised a family and worked laying carpets in and around St. Louis.”
“Jack, never forgot his 'roots' though. His home, with wife, Nancy, was filled with Gloucester City memories, especially downstairs in the cellar. Pictures, plaques, newspaper clippings, posters, bumper stickers, mugs, anything with Gloucester City on it made it to his 'shrine in the cellar'.
“Almost every year he would return home for the 'Ray Ford’s Old Timers' meeting held at the Gloucester Heights Fire Hall. It was one of his favorite events. He would meet his old friends for the evening and have a few beers and exchange great memories. He'd leave, only to return a few weeks later to spend the Christmas to New Year holiday in his hometown. You could usually find him and a few friends at either Cap’s on Jersey Avenue or the VFW Post 3620 on Burlington Street where he was a proud member.”
"Jack always spoke highly of Gloucester City. He would tell perfect strangers what a great place it was to live and grow up. He remembered everything that happened in his hometown in the 1950’s. It seemed at times, he still lived in that era. From the music he listens to, even the language and customs from that period were imbedded into his life. He could tell you all the hangouts, dances, fights. He seemed to be right in the middle of all the fights."
"He had a sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a ‘you can count on me attitude. Our family and his friends will miss him so,” said Mike.
Mr. Bowe was 76 years old. He died from heart disease.
Survivors include his wife Nancy, four children from a previous marriage, several grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Also survived by his brothers, Thomas, Edward, Michael and sister Dorothy. He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Dorothy Bowe, of Gloucester City. Funeral services were held in Missouri.
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