I still hear his coaching in my head when I do front crawl. My clearest memory of the Rosseau summers is of his toes, his hands fanned out making heart-shaped breast-strokes in the air, dropping at the elbows, pulling imaginary water while never entering it, his tanned sinewed feet at the edge of the dock as we treaded water and waited for his counsel on each lap. I remember how patiently he demonstrated each movement in swimming development, with kinaesthetic precision and accurate regard for the needs of each swimmer. And his gentle yet unfathomable expression on a gusty day when I once tried to quit an exam. He said "I can let you get out, but it's colder on the dock. Stay in the water and just keep moving. You can do this." He let me believe that I would never drown if I knew how to float. I could save a life if I could just listen, and breathe out. An inspirational teacher. With love to Cam and all the McGowans.

I would like to extend my condolences on Ken's passing to the entire McGowan family. I attended Verdun High School during 1973-1975.  I was kind of a scrawny kid, holding a belief I wasn't very psychically fit.  Mr McGowan offered me a place on the cross country team after seeing me run a time trial. It was during these years I discovered I did have some ability and made a profound effect on my life. I fondly remember runs on Mont Royal, Angrigon Park and how much of hoot it was when I was given spike running shoes for a hurdles track meet and feeling like I was entering the Olympics! My love for running continued on after high school, and after nine marathons and two ironman triathlons, I need to say thank you for being the kind and patience person who extended his time to a fifteen year old that helped develop a man.  May you rest in peace with angels.

A life-long friend of my father, and my own godfather, very sad to see you go.  Deepest sympathies to Isabelle and family.

My deepest sympathies to the McGowan Family. Coach was a very large influence in our development not only as athletes but as individuals. I am sure that all who had the honour of having Coach McGowan as a teacher will agree. The personal time he devoted to us after school and on weekends at track meets, whether representing VHS or the Verdun Legion Track club will never be forgotten. 

Thank you Ken

Don Thomson VHS class of 74

On behalf of all the Harflett's our condolenses to the McGowan family.  Ken was both my track coach and my brother Steve's. I remember those times with fondness.  Thanks Ken for letting us girls run track.

A terrific man and great track coach / P.E. teacher. He will be sadly missed as he mentored me on to becoming a gym teacher as well. Condolences to the surviving family members.

On behalf of the MacIver family, we offer our solemn condolences to the McGowan's and their families. I remember Mr. McGowan, driving us for skiing or other activities, his steadfast confident demeanour and quick smile.

January 7, 2012

Mr. McGowan was my coach and Phys Ed teacher.  He inspired me not only as an athlete but on a personal level as well.  His dedication and commitment to his job as well as his volunteer work created for me an exceptional role model,  so much so that I myself became a Phys Ed teacher.  I can honestly say that I would have never become a Phys.Ed. teacher if it wasn't for Mr. McGowan.  
Thanks for all the memories.
My Sincere Simpathies to all his family

On behalf of the RH Perry family, we wanted to express our deepest condolences in the passing of Mr. McGowan.  He is in so many fantastic memories from Rosseau Lake College summer school...as our swimming instructor, a great doubles tennis player, and an excellent father of our friends, the McGowan children.  There are so many great memories where Mr. McGowan was there with such a positive impact...swimming lessons, regattas, skiing at Sutton in the winter.  What a great and impactful life, well lived and highly esteemed by all.

Just HAD to say I attended the funeral this morning and it was absolutely amazing!!!   We get to know a person within our own circle or interests (he coached my four sons in track & field at Argyle Academy in 1983-ish+), and we knew him then as a calm, gentle, yet determined and committed coach.  Hearing his brother Bill's (brief) summary of Ken McGowan's life, his activities, his pursuits, his love of family, his commitment (especially) to younger people, his volunteer work, his personal interests, etc, etc., it let us have a glimpse into other areas of his life and amazing as we already thought or knew him to be, it brought out another whole area of his life.  Thank you, Bill McGowan, for the account of your brother's life.  Our prayers are with you, Isabelle, and the rest of the family. Thank you for sharing this (albeit sad) occasion, with so many of us.    Darlene Hills Graham (& Aaron, Paul, Mark & Joel)

I would like to express my condolences to the McGowan family on the passing of coach McGowan.  I attended VHS from 1976 to 1980 and was a member of the high school Volleyball, Cross-Country running and Track & Field teams.  Through coach McGowan I learned that you achieve positive results by setting goals and putting in the effort to practice and train, key learning's that I carry with me to this day.

I would like to thank coach McGowan for his efforts and dedication to coaching and mentoring the students of VHS and being a positive role model in their lives.

My specialty at the time was long distance running, in the fall when we trained for cross-country running we would go to Angrignon Park and run laps around the lake (1 ½ miles per lap), 2-4 laps depending on the race distance you were training for.  The runs were tough, coach McGowan would record all our laps times in his journal so we can measure progress, based on our results he would set new time targets for our next runs.  Great memories.

To this day, my physical activity of choice is long distance running.  I have a lake near my home, a lap around the lake is slightly less than 1 ½ miles, I generally do 4 laps each time out.  31 years after leaving VHS the positive influence is still there.


Thanks coach!

Mr. McGowan was my gym teacher while I was at John Grant High School.  Wonderful teacher and an asset to John Grant.  My sympathies go out to the family members.

Mr McGowan, was my gym teacher in 1961,62 the BEST gym teacher ever, got the whole school involved..when I left Quebec in 1980 for Halifax I haad to visit,,my condolences to the family.
Don Smith

My wife,Fran, and I were very sorry to read  of Ken's death.I was privileged to be on the staff with Ken at VHS and Argyle.I have fond memories of his patient coaching of the staff teams in preparation for the annual staff/student volleyball and basketball games.He loved music and generously shared the work of his favourite artists. I am still enjoying an Art Tatum cassette he gave me in 1986.
Our deepest sympathy to Isabelle and family.

My sincere condolences to the McGowan family.  I remember him from my high school days at John Grant.  He always had a smile for everyone.  May your memories comfort you.  You are in my prayers.
Brenda James (Spence)

We both were saddened to read of Ken's death. Our deepest sympathy to Isabelle and family.

Mr. McGowan was my gym teacher at Verdun High School in the late sixties.  He was a kind and fair man and was always careful not to single out or embarras anyone.  He touched many lives at VHS in a positive way.  My condolences to his family.

Always my favourite class at VHS. The team of McGowan and Hayes of the late 1970s! Ken McGowan always encouraged my development and was a great inspiration when pursuing and winning javelin gold for PSBGM in grade 11. Thanks Ken and my sincere condolences to the McGowan family.

If tears could build a stairway, And memories left by Mr G to all his students a lane, You'd no doubt walk up to heaven And bring him home again. 

Best Gym tbeacher ever, Thinking Of You and your family at your time of loss.

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. McGowan. He was my gym teacher at John Grant HS in the early 60's. In that role he was very dedicated educator who was fair, firm and a mentor to all. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who had the fortunate opportunity to know him.

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. McGowan. .I have fond memories of him leading us over to Egan field to practice track and field. May he rest in peace

Our condolences to you, he was my gym teacher at Verdun High School in the 70's , great times, great memories, things we cherish.
RIP.
Louis Paraskevopoulos and family

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. McGowan. He was a very good Pys Ed teacher during my days at John Grant High School in the 60's. My condolences to the family.
Richard Luchuk, DDO, Quebec

My condolences to the McGowan family. Wonderful memories of a great and fun gym teacher at VHS.

To the family of Mr McGowan. May you be assured that he is at peace, Mr McGowan was a great teacher at John Grant High and well respected by his students. I had him for gym and health, sometimes he'd get red faced during sex ed. A great man has left this earth to be with someone greater. May God bless you all. Don Brightwell, Belleville Ontario

My deepest condolences to you and your family, Chris. I remember you father well.

I am deeply saddened with the news of Ken MacGowan passing away.Before my brother Gordon's death in 2009, we talked about trying to visit with "Mr. MacGowan"-- as we had always reffered to him as we knew him as our coach and mentor during the 60s at JGHS. A true inspiration to us throughout our lives.My condolences to the family.
Brock Fownes

I'm so very sad to hear of the passing of Ken McGowan. My deepest condolences go out to his surrounding family. I was blessed to have him as a gym teacher during my 4 yrs at Verdun High School in the late 70's. I found him to be inspiring, engaging & a credit to the teaching profession. I'll never forget him.

I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr.McGowan. He was my gym and health teacher at John Grant High School in Lachine back in the 1960s. He was also my basketball and track coach as well as other sports. I would say he was one of my fondest memories of high school. To Mr. McGowan's family, please accept my deepest condolences. Rest in peace Mr. McGowan and thanks for all those fond memories.

We send to you, Isabelle, and the family, our deep sympathies and assurance of our heart-felt thoughts and caring especially at this time. With our best wishes and a prayer, Jane and Ian

We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Ken McGowan.   He was a dedicated and caring Phys Ed teacher/coach to our sons at Argyle Academy and a great mentor.  He will be sorely missed.  Our condolences to Isabelle and the family.   Darlene Graham, Aaron, Paul, Mark & Joel Graham

Mr McGowan was a wonderful teacher (John Grant in the 60s).  My deepest sympathies to all the family

Kenny was one of the kindest and most giving people we have ever known, and we shall miss him terribly.

              Marilyn, Bill, Steven, Kelly, and Bruce

OBITUARY

Kenneth McGowan

18 June, 1932 – 30 December, 2011

Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services