Thomas F. McGowan
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 by | Theodore D. Day |
| Succeeded by | Fred J. Eckert Dale Volker |
| Constituency | 62nd district (1966) 54th district (1967–1972) 58th district (1973–1974) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 11, 1925 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 23, 1997 (aged 71) Batavia, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dorothy Ann Rowe (m. 1951) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Canisius College (BSS, MEd) University of Buffalo (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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.
Early life and education
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ New York Red Book (1970–1971; pg. 98)
- ^ Election of a Republican Hailed as Blow at Carey in the New York Times on February 6, 1975 (subscription required)
- ^ CORPORATION PROCEEDINGS – COMMON COUNCIL (October 1, 1991; No. 2, "Appointment of Buffalo City Court Judge"), at City of Buffalo official website
- ^ Dorothy A. McGowan, active community volunteer from The Buffalo News on March 30, 2011; at HighBeam Research
- ^ Dorothy A. (Rowe) McGOWAN in The Buffalo News from November 28 to 30, 2011
- ^ JUSTICE THOMAS F. MCGOWAN DIES; HAD LONG PUBLIC CAREER from The Buffalo News on July 24, 1997; at HighBeam Research