Victor Bowen

A note from Judy (Bowen) Horky

Victor died Oct. 11, very quick and peacefully. He was very active right up to the end. He still entertained on the piano every week at different nursing homes, and was only frustrated at being "old" and unable to compete in sports as he once had. He would have been 94 on Christmas Day.

We held a Memorial Service in Laconia, N.H. on the 14th and on Friday, the 16th, my brother, Jeff, and I brought his ashes along with our mother's (Sally, died Dec. 24, 1996) to Chebeague where we held an informal gravesite ceremony. They now rest in peace on the island, the place nearest and dearest to his heart. It was a perfect day and the reunion with our family was wonderful.


(From the Portland Press Herald Online)

Victor Henry Bowen

educator, native of Chebeague Island

 

LACONIA, N.H. - Victor Henry Bowen, 93, died Oct. 11

at the Lakes Region General Hospital. He was the

widower of Sara ''Sally'' Helen Suttill Bowen, who died

in 1996.

 

He was born on Chebeague Island at Cumberland, Maine,

a son of Henry and Elvira Ross Bowen. He graduated

from Kents Hill School in 1923 and from Bates College in

1927. He received a degree in education from Boston

University in 1935.

 

For 18 years, Mr. Bowen taught science at the junior

high school in Framingham, Mass., and coached three

major sports. He also was active in theater groups, taking

parts in leading roles and as a soloist in Gilbert and

Sullivan operettas.

 

In 1945, Mr. Bowen and his wife moved to Laconia,

where he became principal of Laconia Junior High

School. He later was appointed assistant superintendent of

schools in 1959 and superintendent in 1965. He retired in

1970.

 

Mr. Bowen had been a member of the Laconia

Congregational Church since 1945 and was on its board

of trustees for eight years. He served as an usher and was

an honorary deacon. He was a member of the Masonic

Lodge and served as pianist for the Laconia Kiwanis Club

for 25 years.

 

After his retirement, he served on the board of the

Laconia Public Library for 25 years, serving seven as

chairman. He was an active member of the Gilford Hills

Tennis Club, serving as captain of his team for several

years.

 

Mr. Bowen maintained close ties with his family on

Chebeague Island and until recently, summered on

Cousins Island at Yarmouth, Maine.

 

At age 80, he learned to fly and made numerous solo

flights. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. He was

an accomplished pianist, his family said, providing

entertainment for local nursing and retirement homes.