john rowan
Longtime New Hyde Park and Southold resident John Rowan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 10 May 2023 after a long illness.
John was born on June 29, 1942, in Yorkville, Upper East Side, to Anne “Nancy” and James Rowan. He graduated from Xavier High School in 1960 and later from St. John’s University with a BA. John served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia. On October 23, 1966, he married the love of his life, Grace. They could have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year.
He was a loving father to three children Catherine Anne, John Michael and Eileen Marie. He was a great father-in-law to Pat, Joe and Susan. His seven grandchildren, Liam, Kyra, Connor, Delaney, Jack, Aidan and Devin, are the lights of his life. He loves to tell anyone who will listen about them and how proud he is of them.
He was a loving brother to his sister Anne and her husband Jack Caslin and a proud uncle to his nephew Christopher.
John spent 22 years with the NYPD, rising to the rank of Sergeant. After retiring from the NYPD, he served as vice president of security for Amex and Smith Barney. John speaks proudly of his days working in the NYPD and enjoys talking about “the job” with his son John Michael, who follows in his footsteps and is currently the Suffolk County Police Department’s Detective Inspector. He proudly attended each of his son’s promotions and took lots of photos so he could share every moment with anyone who would listen.
A consummate storyteller, John makes friends wherever he goes. He passed on his gift of gab to his daughter Catherine Anne and several of his grandchildren. His love of keeping families together and keeping traditions alive is passed on to his daughter, Aileen Marie. Grace and John are avid dancers and love meeting friends at Osprey’s Dominion winery near their Southold home. They enjoyed winter trips to Pelican Cove in Naples, Florida, where they made lifelong friends. Also, many weekends are spent dancing all night at the Irish American Association in Mineola, where they are active members.
John will be missed by all, and his family has asked for a donation in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the cause he cares most about.
This is a paid notice.
