Glenn W. Gowen

Glenn W. Gowen, 85, of Sanford, died Sunday, January 1, 2006 at Goodall Hospital in Sanford after years of declining health.Glenn was born on June 15, 1920 in Hyattsville, Maryland to Wilton and Augusta (Frost) Gowen. His family moved to Sanford when Glenn was very young so he always considered Sanford his hometown. He was a 1938 graduate of Sanford High School. After graduating, Glenn enrolled in A.I.C. located in Springfield, MA. Mr. Gowen entered the Army Air Corps out of college where he served until he received a medical discharge after developing rheumatoid arthritis. On March 7, 1945, Glenn married Gertrude Carlisle with whom he shared 60 wonderful years.Glenn worked as a cost accountant at the Goodall Mills in Sanford until they closed, he then moved to Sangerville, ME and worked at the Guilford Woolen Mills in Guilford, ME. After working in Guilford, Glenn came back to the area and worked for a time at Cyro. In 1968 he moved to Manchester, NH where he would reside for 25 years until returning to Sanford in 1993. While in Manchester, he worked as a cost accountant for several shoe companies and a shipping firm until he retired in 1985. Mr. Gowen loved children, especially his nieces and nephews. While he was living in Sangerville, he assisted with the Explorer Scouts, accompanying them on various outings including hikes and camping trips. Animals had a special place in Glenn's heart; they always gave him great pleasure, especially the pet dogs that he owned over the years. Glenn was a sports enthusiast, in high school, he was an avid tennis player, he also loved to watch sports on television, especially football, baseball and basketball. Mr. Gowen also owned a camp on Square Pond where he enjoyed going up until a few years ago.Surviving are his wife, Gertrude Gowen of Sanford; a sister, Frances Curry, of Utica, NY; a niece, Karen Curry of Utica, NY; two nephews, Marc Curry of Herkimer, NY and Douglas Wells of Allentown, PA; a brother-in-law, Raymond Wells of Hellertown, PA and several great nieces and nephews.There will be no services at this time for Mr. Gowen. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the North Parish Congregational Church Abiding Fund, 893 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073. Arrangements are through Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home in Springvale. To send a message of condolence go to the "condolence" tab on the left.