Obituary of Joseph Lawrence Rowan

Joseph Lawrence Rowan, a longtime resident of Darien, died peacefully on November 26, 2013. He was eighty-eight years old. Mr. Rowan was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on July 26, 1925 to Marie and James Rowan. He and his family moved to Darien in 1972. Mr. Rowan served with the Merchant Marine in the North Atlantic during World War II. After serving in the military, he joined The American Broadcasting Company, eventually becoming a Vice President. After his retirement, he pursued degrees at Charter Oak College and Southern Connecticut University, receiving a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Philosophy. Mr. Rowan was ordained as a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1995 and served at St. Thomas More Church in Darien and St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan. Mr. Rowan was an avid reader of philosophy, religion and history. He loved aviation and became a licensed private pilot on his fiftieth birthday. Mr. Rowan was predeceased by his wife Ann T. Rowan in 2011 and is survived by his daughter Ann Dickson of Darien, son Paul Rowan of New York City and sister Patricia McDowell of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His son-in-law Thomas Dickson of Darien and two grandchildren Thomas and William Dickson also survive him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road in Darien on Saturday November 30, 2013 at 10AM. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Post 53, P. O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820