Donald F. Gowan passed away peacefully on June 22, 2019.
Don was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved many people, and is loved by many in return.
This site honors the great memories we have of him. Let’s share our stories so we can all enjoy and appreciate the tremendous impact he had on each of us.
In his final days he told us, “I lived a good life.” We are thankful to have shared our lives with him.
We are grateful to everyone who has provided support and shared condolences.
An open house to celebrate Don was held on Saturday, August 31 (his 75th birthday), from 3-5 p.m.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Foundation of First Health Hospice.
— Michele, Jen, and Michael
Share a Memory About Don
Please tell a story or favorite memory of Don.
Songs Don Loved
These songs remind us of Don. Tell us if you have a song we should add!
Memories of Don
As Fate Would Have It….
Seventeen years ago Sharyn & I were blessed by fate….fate that brings people close together and we feel fortunate to have shared that closeness with Don. Our lives were bridged by circumstance, enriched by friendship and we will always be grateful for having him in our lives. The memories we shared will forever be cherished.
My 1st District sales manager
I feel as if we grew together in our automotive careers. I was fortunate to remain in contact with Don after his retirement. A great guy, fun to be with at all the outings. The last time I saw Don was at an NADA convention and we both a great time talking about the beginning of our careers. God Bless
Couples
Michele and Don were married in 1968; we followed in 1970. All in our early twenties, we wanted to be successful and sophisticated but we were just four kids from Jersey living on casseroles from paycheck to paycheck who giggled when a waiter at Poor Lad’s in New Haven CT offered “Sherry in your soup, monsieur?”
The years flowed filled with jobs, children, houses, and travel but the one constant was family. Whether in New Jersey, Connecticut, Binghamton, St. Louis, Chicago, Toronto, Detroit, Florida or North Carolina, we gathered.
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”
From Jersey shore rentals to a Tuscan villa 50 years later, it’s been a wonderful ride. We loved sharing it all.
Don AKA “Captain Crunch”
Unfortunately we only knew Don for a relatively short time! But our memories are many and will last with us forever!
Early on we discovered Don didn’t like to draw a lot of attention to his birthday. So a day or so before his birthday we were going to play golf I decorated my golf cart with a big poster announcing his birthday along with pinwheels and streamers! We went to the course and played in the decorated cart. Every person we drove near on the course I would announce it was Don’s bday! At lunch after the round in the clubhouse we got him a cake with candles. Everyone there sang him happy birthday! His last words to me that day paybacks are hell!!
You were a great friend to Pat and I!!
We will miss you terribly!! Please save me a place wherever you are because I know we will have more fun ! Good bye my best friend’
We Called Him “Uncle Donny!”
Since our parents were both only-children my sister Tami, brother Torey and I always called the Gowans “Aunt Michele and Uncle Donny. From the time we were very young we loved to hear our parents tell all the fun stories from high school about the great times they had with Michele and Donny, Linda and Tony Gero and Lynn Johnson and to us they were the aunts and uncles we did not have. I especially treasure the memories of going to the Jersey Shore in the Summer when we were little – it was always the highlight of the trip when Michele and Donny arrived, the party would get started, but Donny would always play with us on the beach, throw us in the waves and dig in the sand – we all loved him so much! Any time we got to spend with all of you was always special!
Later, as adults, we were honored to have all the gang from Madison celebrate Tami’s wedding and my wedding with us and it really was a highlight of any year for my parents when they got to spend time with their oldest, dearest friends.
I can say for my mom especially how she loved you all. I found some photos in one of mom’s albums. I think they are from 1994 at a birthday party for Donny…
Tami, Torey and I are sending our love Michele and big hugs,
Lisa
Love Never Dies
There will never be enough time to spend with the people we love.
So we cherish our memories and hold them close in our hearts, Knowing they will be safe there forever.
Because love never dies.
It may change form, but it’s always there.
Sometimes with a tear or a smile, or a laugh or a kiss, or a hand reaching out to hold.
Love never dies… and your’s never will.
An Inspiration
What can we say. Words seem so inadequate at this time! But just two things.
First, I know that only Michele knows how hard the past couple of years have been on Don trying to fight this. So that is gone and he is at peace.
Second, what a blessing your trip to Italy was last year! It is truly the reason that we did ours this year. Always promised Amy I would take her. When I saw you guys go I said to Pam I know why they’re doing this…we need to do this for our family. Thank you for that because our children and your two will never forget that.
Our Deepest Condolences
Don has been a very special friend for many years and difficult to comprehend he is gone. Though he had battled cancer for a long while, we always felt if anyone had the strength and determination to survive, it most certainly would be Don. I personally owe Don a lot, as he was someone who understood me and pushed me to be a better person. His charm and laughter was infectious to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
The countless years of attending the Fisher Classic has always been something we looked forward to each year, much in thanks to the Commish being in charge. Those of us he did not fire, enjoyed coming back each year knowing it would be a special time to enjoy some golf with a great group of family oriented guys getting away for a few days. It will be difficult for all of us to continue the legacy, but Don would insist we move forward. He will always be remembered and with us in spirit.
Pontiac Dealer Friend
I became friends with Don when I was on the Chicago Dealer Council and he was the zone manager. After he left Chicago we still kept in contact with each other, he was the best!
donny
aka don…. as gaily & I called him….our donny pretty much grew up with us when we were young….we all lived at 198 central ave madison nj(remember michele) frequently don’s friends would be over…remembering tony &linda…lynn, bob triginon..(spelling ?)and we were allowed to be around everyone until it was time to go to bed/or the drinking started…don is just a cool very very nice guy. how cool is it when your uncle drops you off at your friends house in his vw beetle driving with bare feet….don’t know if mommy was aware of that…friends would be who’s that cool guy….we would say that’s our donny…then we get to meet michele and loved her instantly! don you are soo loved I’m sure mommy had her arms open wide when she saw you…you are soo missed already and so in our hearts always…soo proud you are MY uncle….love to all deb
Neighbors Wine Tasting
This was a great group of friends that went on to become a dinner group. We had so much fun together tasting wine and bringing our favorite dishes to share. Don was our wine efficinado…introduced us to some wonderful wines for very good prices. YEAH! The group is no longer together as winetasters, but the friendships and the memories live on!!!
I also am so very thankful that Don and Michelle came to Ski’s service and party. Don looked great and it was so wonderful to share a table with you that evening. Thanks for that memory as well.
What a Crew
True friend for life, endless whiffle ball games in his backyard. Every time we met, seemed like we just saw each other the day before. Glad we had Cape gathering.
Don
I’m going to miss our annual wagers on the FSU-Florida game … the wine, whines and chatter at the Al Fisher Classic … and the re-telling of our adventures during the GM years. But those memories will always bring a smile to my face, and I thank you for that. RIP big guy; it’s going to be the Yankees year!
Our Uncle Don
We are Don’s twin nieces (Gail and Deb). Donny, and never Uncle, is what we called him when we were younger. Our earliest memories are around age four or five when Don was graduating High School and he was going off to the Prom. So handsome all decked out in a tux. He had lots of fun friends and always a girl friend. He lived with us on and off through his College years. I remember going on a road trip to drop him at school in Greensboro, NC. When he met Michele we instantly loved her. We were Junior Bridesmaids in their Wedding. Such a fun and memorable occasion, which we will cherish forever. We have all stayed in touch through the years. Don is such a kind, fun loving guy. He holds a very special place in our hearts always. We Love You Don.
Golf with Don
Don and I played a tremendous amount of Golf together and I`ve been racking my brain to come with a special outing we had together and I just couldn`t because they each and everyone was special. Don was just a pleasure to be around….there wasn`t a time when we didn`t enjoy each other`s company and just had FUN!! I don`t remember Don saying an unkind word about anyone or anything for that matter…he will truly be missed by many! Love you my friend!! Dave
A very good friend
I have many memories of Don from trips to Lake Geneva to a basket game between Valparaiso and Southwest Missouri State to the night I slammed his finger in the door of a limo in St. Louis. We have kind of lost touch the past several years but he will always have a special place in my heart.
Mr.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with ‘Dandy Don’ during my years at Pontiac. I always looked up to Don and admired his wit and ability to get along with everyone. He was a fun guy — always had a big smile on his face. My nickname for him was ‘Dandy Don’. And make no mistake about it — he was a dandy and will be missed by all. My condolences to the entire family. Rest In Peace Don.
My Condolences
I wish that I could have spent more time with him. All of the dealers liked and respected Don. He was always honest and caring with us when we had business concerns. I didn’t look at Don as a business associate but rather as a good friend.
I am so glad that my wife and I were able to have dinner with him and Michele awhile back. He looked great and upbeat as I always remembered him.
Don had faith in me and it was my goal to prove to him that he made the right decision. Without Don it is possible that I never would have had my own dealership.
Mr
I HAVE MANY MANY FUN MEMORIES OF WORKING WITH DON IN THE OLD CHARLOTTE ZONE…I HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES OF THE FUN I HAD WITH DON, JIM MURRAY, AND DICK SEIDENSPINNER…WE ALL WORKED HARD…BUT WE PLAYED HARD TOO….DON WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM..
Submitted by: Steve Hutchinson
Consummate Gentleman
First met Don in the late 70’s when we both worked for Pontiac in the NY Zone. We were partners. He was the suave Sales Rep and I, his unpolished Service counterpart. Don was kind, patient and always the first to offer guidance. Our paths continued to cross, in the Pontiac Charlotte Zone Office and other locations throughout our time at GM. Promotions never changed him, as Don was always the consummate gentleman. He will be missed.
Submitted by: Gary Claudio