Mr. Roy Cowan, 97, beloved husband of the late Martha Hayman Cowan and a resident of Onancock, formerly of Onley, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018.
Born Jan. 21, 1921, in Jackson, N.C., he was the son of the late Luther T. Cowan and Elizabeth Rogers Cowan. Mr. Cowan served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre during WWII, earning a Soldier’s Medal Citation. Following discharge from the military, he began his career as an electrical engineer with the Pennsylvania Railroad out of Cape Charles, and eventually retired from Conrail Railroad. During his railroad career, Mr. Cowan and his family lived in Pocomoke and Baltimore, Md., Steubenville, Ohio, back to Maryland, and lastly, to Penn Station, N.Y. Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Cowan, and their grandson, Jesse, returned to his childhood home in Onley, and continued to travel as often as possible. Following Mrs. Cowan’s passing, Mr. Cowan continued his explorations with his traveling companions, the late Bill Hickman, and most recently, Stuart Mathias.
Mr. Cowan was a devoted and faithful member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Onley. After 24 years of fellowship and support, he was recently awarded lifetime membership to the Dahl’s Swamp Hunt Club, an honor he was most grateful to receive. Throughout his life, he enjoyed boating, baseball, traveling by car, was an avid golfer while able.
Survivors include his daughter, Teri Daley, and her husband, Kevin, of Onancock; four grandchildren, Jesse T. Cowan, who was raised by Martha and Roy, Craig L. Stevens and wife, Ann, Elizabeth H. Daley, and Stephanie M. Cowan; two stepgrandsons, Brian L. Daley and wife, Melissa, and Christopher B. Daley and wife, Julie; and five great-grandchildren, Ashley, Arianna, Hayden, Hannah and Emma. In addition to his loving wife and parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Jean Marie Cowan.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m., with Father Rogelio L. Abadano officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be held in the Mount Holly Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 28, Onancock, VA 23418, or to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, P.O. Box 860, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
