Brother Gerard's deliberate acts of love, dedication to family, loyalty to comrades at work and a fun spirit are a part of all who've ever met him. He encourages every day. You're missed extra on your birthday.

Today we didn’t get to celebrate your 61st birthday.  It feels like there’s something wrong with that. I carried some photos of you with me and showed them whenever I could fit them in the conversation. I told some funny stories about your practical jokes and fun childhood games you’d create when we were kids. I talked about your career, your singing talent, how you like putting models together, and how much I miss your fun spirit. I shared some with people who don’t know you. I got...well you got a lot of laughs.  I needed to celebrate you.  Today will always be your day ... and I will always make sure it is.  Your little sister misses you every second of every day .... just a little more today. 

It's taken a few days this time, five years later, to remember you on your legacy tribute. Years haven't eased the pain of missing you, but each time we were together becomes more and more valuable to me. When you have no more chances, those times you didn't make happen become more of a disappointment.  We had plans, Gerard, for one day away...one day away we didn't get. I so appreciate all the next days we planned that we did get. Love, your little sister.

People say they can't believe it's been four years already. To me, each minute feels like a year since we last talked. I sure hope my brother knew how much he meant to me. When you don't have the chance to be together, you think back when you could. When you can't make a phone call to share a funny story, you remember the times you did. You hope you took advantage of all the times you had because one day those memories will have to last a lifetime.

Tomorrow your little sister will be as old as you when we last celebrated your birthday three years ago. I have always looked up to you and Billy as my older brothers. You both earned that respect never asking for it. I have always been proud to be your sister. 
I didn't anticipate how difficult this birthday would be for me. It may sound silly but you are supposed to be here continuing to be older than I and visiting me today with a birthday card and celebrating on Sunday, Father's Day. I trust that you continue to celebrate your birthdays with our family in Heaven and honored for being such a great Dad on Father's Day as your son and daughters continue to honor you here. 
But it's not supposed to be this way. You are missed every minute of every day. I am grateful for each birthday, every holiday we celebrated together ... Gerard, I am grateful for every minute we had together. 
No matter how much time passes, no matter how many more birthdays I have here, know I will always be your little sister who will always look up to you.

My dear brother, Gerard, you now celebrate two years of eternal life without pain or sadness surrounded by our family who awaited you. You are in the presence of God .. why would we still mourn for you? We do because we  miss you here. We know you are in a much better place, but we still miss you here. I post these words and keep this guest book open so you will also live on here. So your grandchildren may someday read how much you mean to everyone who knew you. They can learn of the positive impact you had .. and still have on our lives. Your children continue to make you proud because they know how much they mean to you. Our love for you lives on for all you've done for all of us. You were always loyal to us. We will always be loyal to the memory of you. Semper fi.

Dear Gerard, one year later, you are continuing to be remembered in mine and others lives! It is said that our cousins are our first real friends, and in my life, that rings so true.  We always knew that coming from the same family, we shared numerous fun memories and just loved being crazy and the more laughs the better.  We also shared many sad times, but as our family always did....was get through them together. We are here and you are not, physically, but you are with your mom & dad and numerous family members and can only imagine the beauty of all of you watching over all of us. Your children and grandchildren are beautiful and you are in each and every one of them.  You surely left your mark:)  So....I have one question...have you spotted "Elvis" yet?  Love and miss you very much....until we meet again ....Cuz, Loretta xo

My dear brother, Gerard. Each day my first thought is to thank God for you, for keeping you safe here and for taking you back to Him in a peaceful way. Then I ask God to hug you for me & tell you how grateful I am for you. A few days ago I pictured you in Heaven celebrating your year anniversary with our family. How happy Mommy & Daddy must be to be reunited with you. Your friends and family continue to post to your facebook page their memories and thoughts of how much you meant to their lives. I continued your notice here so others you've touched who may not have had a chance still can share here. Gerard, your life lives on with promising beautiful grandchildren and your dedicated children who live with joy and humor inside of them because of you. Billy & I move forward with your help ... we say, "this is what Gerard would do". Laura is a permanent part of our family just like you had planned. We try to honor your life with ours. We all miss you but know goodbye doesn't mean forever.

MY CONDOLENCES GO TO THE FAMILY OF JERRY BOWEN.  JERRY WORKED AT MAINT.#2 AS PARTS MAN  AND WAS GOOD AT IT. SORRY TO HEAR  HE PASSEDAWAY.   RUSSELL SHOLL    ELKTON,MD.

Never take someone for granted,
Hold every person close to your heart.
Because you might wake up one day
and realize that you've lost a DIAMOND
while you were to busy collecting stones.
JERRY, my DIAMOND of a brother and friend to everyone you are constantly
thought of.
              love,
              Steve and Steven

The world is a different place without my brother Gerard. I will never be the same. I am learning that I am not supposed to be. Through his perseverance, humor, service, and love he helped me through this life and in his honor I pray to be a better sister, a better aunt and a better friend. My heart will ache until we are togetherr again, but as Gerard quoted many times from a movie (of many) he memorized the lines from ... it's not his death that we will remember, but how he lived ... how he DID LIVE.

We all have so many memories & stories to tell about Gerard. But one cute memory will stay with me forever. Years ago, our family was attending a funeral mass and I was next to Gerard in the pew. It was such a somber mass, during which I happened to glance over at Gerard. He turned his head towards me and made a silly face, winking. It made me giggle and it took the edge off such a serious event. THAT was Gerard. His lighthearted approach to life, family & friends was truly a blessing to us all.  RIP Gerard. <3

To the Bowen Family, we just heard about Jerry. He did security for us, and was a good friend who will be missed dearly. Our prayers go out to you all for comfort in this difficult time. 
Chris,Debbie,Terry,Donny,Buddy from Bernies Liquors in Middle River

Our prayers and thoughts are with Laura, with Jerry's family, and with Jerry's friends. Living in the same building with Jerry, we always saw the smiling face and quickness to offer help. He was always trying to assist (Monica) carry things to and from the truck and laughingly offering to help with walking the crazy rottweiler. He impacted people in ways that we don't think he realized and will be felt as a loss by many. We had no idea that he was in pain and yet he always tried to serve others. We hope his spirit will be constantly remembered and thus be the inspiration that we believe he would have wanted.
Taken too soon.
 Monica & Ryan Grabowski, #204

It was only today I learned of Jerry's passing. I worked with Jerry at the JFK scale house at a time in my professional life that was dark. Jerry's sense of humor and friendship helped me through several tough times.May God grant you eternal rest my friend.

To the Bowen Family, 

May God Bless you all during this difficult time.  We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.   
With love,
Skip, Terri, Trevor, Kendra, Jake, Garrett, and Shannon Wade

On behalf of Banavie Terrace, Fountain Glen, and the Covert Family, our thoughts and prayers are extended to Jerry's children Jeanette, Brad, and Danielle, his family, and loved ones. We will remember the good times as neighbors and friends. There was always a circle of fun surrounding Jerry wherever he went. Thanks for the memories buddy, and the laughs. La Dai, La Dai! 

And the last rose from my garden goes to you…

HE HAS FOUND HAPPINESS IN A BETTER PLACE. REST IN PEACE,AMEN

My love and prayers are with you.
He was a great guy,with whom I instantly felt comfortable and could talk to with great pleasure for hours..........

I miss you so much dad.  You were an incredible father and friend.  I know you are no longer with us in the flesh but I do know you will live on through the thousands of hilarious stories we all have of you.  I want to thank you for teaching me how to be such a great dad.  I learned from the best.  I will forever put Aurora on my knee just like you did with danielle and jeannette and say "I am daddys girl, I love pop pop"  I really could not have asked for a better upbringing dad you always but us kids first. Three things I will always remember.  "Kids always come first" "you gotta be a kid to have kids" and " its not about whether you win or lose but about how many points you score" haha and every march madness I will root for gonzaga and watch teams fall to your favorite quote "you live by the jump shot you die by it"  I love you dad.

I look up to you,Gerard,my younger brother as inspiration on how to care,how to laugh,and how to triumph against adversity.Gonna miss you "Brother El"

The Association of Baltimore County Retired Police, Inc. extends its deepest sympathy on the passing of our Member Jerry Bowen. He will be missed by all who knew him and worked with him over the years. Our prayers are with his Family and may he rest in enternal peace.

Please accept my condolences. May Acts 25:15 bring hope.

Jerry, I will miss you.  It was pleasure to have known you.

April 24, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Jerry's children, Laura and his family.

I worked with Jerry at MTA and although I retired several years ago, Jerry and I kept in touch.  I can't believe he is gone.  We just had a discussion concerning "taxes."  I loved Jerry's sense of humor and he always kept me laughing.  

Jerry loved his children and he loved Laura. May you be comforted by your memories of his love.

Jerry, I will truly miss you my friend; Rest in Peace.

I'm so sorry for your loss and wish you peace in his memories.  Jerry will be greatly missed by a lot of people.

Jerry, it was a pleasure to have known you. 

Until we meet again....

Dear Bowen family,
I am so saddened for Jerry's sudden death and know it is especially hard on his children. They cannot ever forget him as he will live forever in their memory. I believe in eternal life and know that Jerry is passing on into that life forever.
Love to all the family,
Betty Grube

Sad beyond words!  Jerry... a wonderful man that I never shared an unkind word with.  I will never forget the time you rescued me from the bat and how much fun you had when you showed up in that face mask and Lacross stick!  You will be missed by many my friend!!!  My heart goes out to your 3 children and your girlfriend Laura.  I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers!!!

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

I only worked with Jerry for a short time but I always enjoyed being around him. I will miss your smile and your humor. Heaven has been blessed with another angel. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Jerry's family and friends. God Bless

You will be missed, Jerry, but I'm sure you're already up there crooning some tunes with Elvis. See you later!

Jerry was a close friend of ours and co-worker of Vance's. We miss him terribly and struggle with believing he is actually gone. He was a great man, an amazing friend--he would do anything for anyone of us and often did. We shared a lot of great memories and fun times. He is sorely missed. We love you, buddy! Love, Kelly Martin and Vance Belcher

Jerry was a close friend of ours and co-worker of Vance's.  He is sorely missed. We love you, buddy. Love, Kelly Martin and Vance Belcher

Grandpa Hammer, I can't begin to tell you how amazing you were with Walter Wiley. Without hesitation, you claimed his as your own and formed a bond he will remember forever. I love you not only for the great man you were, but the amazing mentor you were to my wonderful fiancé and the warm, playful grandpa you were to my son. You have helped mold some of the finest people I've had the pleasure to meet and we will miss you so much! Be well, and we will see you soon, Grandpa Hammer!

My condolences to the entire Bowen family.  I knew Jerry in high school.  He was always in a good mood and could make anyone laugh doing his Mr. Conway impersonation.  He will live on in our memories forever.  God Bless.

Dear Bill and Donna,

I am so very sorry for your loss. I didn't know Jerry personally, but Bill, your stories of him will keep his memory alive for all of us.

God bless you and yours,

Patty Leaverton

Condolences to the Bowen Family.  Jerry and I worked together with BCoPD.  He was always an easy-going man who loved his family.  It's been awhile since we talked, but I'm sure he'll always be there for his kids.  Until we meet again...

You have been my heart and soul for the last 5 years, it took me a long time to find you and you were taken away  too soon! I am so greatful for the time we did have and I will treasure your memory forever. I know you are waiting for me and we will be together again someday, but in the meantime you are missed terribly and I am lost without you!! I will take good care of our little buddy Mustang! Thank you for being my "bookie" and you know that "I love you more"!!  xxxooo Forever in my heart!!

Jerry,
    Your the "GREATEST BROTHER" that GOD
could have ever given me. Through THICK
and THIN we were always there for each
other. My son will always remember you
as DUDE.You will always be the"BEST ELVIS" impersonator!
You will be entertaining everybody up in HEAVEN with your Lou Ferringno 
impersonation.
My son and you would be playing with
your Christmas Garden or you cars
for hours.
My son and I will be thinking of you everyday in our hearts.
                 Love,
            Steve and Steven

Gerard you will be missed by all, but I know as you went thru those gates there was someone to me you and he said "Hi Gerard, let me show you around"you with so many will always be in the corner of my heart and never forgotten.. much love cousin sandy

My condolences to the Bowen family. You will be missed Brother.

May warm memories bring some comfort to you at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dad, I miss you so much.  I don't know what to do. I love you and I hope you knew that. I am going to be a nurse one day and I hope you can see me skipping down the halls and being psycho.  Mustang didn't run from me today!  I'll see you again one day. I love you 4 ever!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you dad.  You were the best and most supportive dad I could ever ask for.  I wish I could have one more time with you at Starbucks or watching one of your favorite movies.  I will miss you so much, and it's going to be hard to not have you around.  I love you and I'll be your little girl forever.

May God Bless you and Keep you. We will lift your entire family up in our prayers. Jenn, Mackenzie, Trinity and Bryce

"Our sincerest sympathy to all the Bowen Family, our hearts and prayers go out to you all...Love, Reni and Al

You will be remembered forever brother!!!

The staff at the Emerald Tavern were honored to know "Hammer."  He will be missed by all.  Peace to his family and friends.

My sincere condolences to Billy, Lynn and families. Rest assured your cousins are here for you. Love you all, your cuz.

Condolences from the Rodney and Connie Bird. Our prayers are with the family. 
(Class Mates 1977)

I barley got the chance to know Jerry, but I truly admire his son Bradley, my daughter's fiance', and if Bradley is representative of his dad, He was a great guy. Jerry, we'll miss not getting to know you better, but we will love your son, as our own. Bob and Gretchen Scott, Forest Hill, Md.

To The Bowen Family! 

    I, as many of family and friends, are saddened to lose Gerard so soon and quickley! He is now in the Kingdom of God, and by the reaching arms of his dear mom and dad, guided him to an enormous family reunion in The Kingdom!  Gerard will always be on watch for his beautiful children, grandchildren and the best brother and sister anyone could ever have, Bill and Lynn! Our prayers and love go out to his family! Will miss you, Gerard!!!!

Love, Cousin Loretta and Ed Railey :(
Stewartstown, PA

OBITUARY

Gerard "Jerry" Thomas Bowen

10 March, 1959 – 22 April, 2012

Schimunek Funeral Home

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