Thomas F. McGowan

Thomas F. McGowan (August 11, 1925 – July 23, 1997) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist from New York who served as a member of the New York State Senate from 1966 to 1974. He was later a justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1974 to 1990.

Thomas McGowan
Justice of the New York Supreme Court
In office
1974–1990
Member of the New York State Senate
In office
1966–1974
Preceded byTheodore D. Day
Succeeded byFred J. Eckert
Dale Volker
Constituency62nd district (1966)
54th district (1967–1972)
58th district (1973–1974)
Personal details
BornAugust 11, 1925
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 23, 1997 (aged 71)
Batavia, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Dorothy Ann Rowe
​
(m. 1951)​
Children6
EducationCanisius College (BSS, MEd)
University of Buffalo (JD)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and education

McGowan was born on August 11, 1925, in Buffalo, New York. During World War II, he served in the United States Army, reaching the rank of corporal. He earned a Bachelor of Social Science in 1950 and M.Ed. in 1953 from Canisius College. He later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Buffalo Law School in 1957

Career

From 1947 to 1957, he was an officer in the Buffalo Police Department. After graduating from law school, he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Buffalo.[1] He served as assistant D.A. of Erie County, New York from 1957 to 1967, and entered politics as a Republican.

McGowan was a member of the board of supervisors of Erie County from 1962 to 1963 and a member of the New York State Senate from 1966 to 1974, sitting in the 176th, 177th, 178th, 179th and 180th New York State Legislatures. In November 1974, he was re-elected, but he resigned his seat upon appointment to the New York Supreme Court.[2] In November 1976, he was elected to a 14-year term on the Supreme Court, remaining on the bench until the end of 1990. On September 18, 1991, he was appointed as a Judge of the Buffalo City Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alois Mazur, and remained on the bench until the end of the year.[3]

Personal life

In 1951, he married Dorothy Ann Rowe (1926–2011),[4] and they had six children.[5] McGowan died on July 23, 1997, in the veterans unit of Genesee Memorial Hospital in Batavia, New York.[6] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

References
  1. New York Red Book (1970–1971; pg. 98)
  2. Election of a Republican Hailed as Blow at Carey in the New York Times on February 6, 1975 (subscription required)
  3. CORPORATION PROCEEDINGS – COMMON COUNCIL (October 1, 1991; No. 2, "Appointment of Buffalo City Court Judge"), at City of Buffalo official website
  4. Dorothy A. McGowan, active community volunteer from The Buffalo News on March 30, 2011; at HighBeam Research
  5. Dorothy A. (Rowe) McGOWAN in The Buffalo News from November 28 to 30, 2011
  6. JUSTICE THOMAS F. MCGOWAN DIES; HAD LONG PUBLIC CAREER from The Buffalo News on July 24, 1997; at HighBeam Research
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