Obituary of Edmund W. Bowden

Edmund W. Bowden age 84, beloved husband of Eleanor Ferrusi Bowden of Monroe, beloved Father and Grandfather, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on March 1, 1928 he was a son of the late John and Mae Burke Bowden. Mr. Bowden was a United States Army Veteran serving in the 21st Infantry Reg. 24th Division in Japan. Before his retirement he was an associate of Borden, Dewhirst, and Brock-Hall Dairys all of Bridgeport, and later worked for the Town of Trumbull for many years as Board of Education Employee at Jane Ryan School. Eds athletic accomplishments were numerous, as he was both a fan and participant in many area sports. He started playing organized sports at the Middle Street Boys Club in their baseball and basketball leagues with the Sylvans. Moving on to Central High School, he played Varsity Basketball from 1943-1945, as well as Varsity Baseball in 1945. He concluded that year playing for Perry Pilottis Newfields in Bridgeport. After Eds service in the Army, he went on to play for several area baseball and softball teams which included Senior City League teams including the Red Devils, and softball with the Bridgeport Police, The Highlanders, Connecticut National Bank, Biffs of Trumbull, and Cortigianos. Golf, however was Eds real passion. As a youth, he caddied for Charlie Petrino Sr, and soon under his watchful eye, learned the basics of golf that would enable him to fulfill many golfing dreams years later after being away from the game. In 1983, he won the Senior Championship, in 1984 the Wheeler One Day Tournament, and finally, the Overall Club Championship in 1985. He was a member of the D. Fairchild Wheeler Mens team winning consecutive championships in 1985, 1986 and 1987 in the New England Public Links Tournament. Again, moving on, Ed was a member of Fairchilds Senior Mens team finishing runner up four times during his play, and finished on top in the 1994 and 1995 Bridgeport District Tournament. Also he was the NEPL Senior Champ for the years 1984 and 1991. He won the individual Bridgeport District Senior Championship in 2000. He had four career holes-in one. Ed is a former President of the Highlanders Club, a former Board of Governors Member at Fairchild Wheeler, and a longtime supporter of the Bridgeports Old Timers Association. He also served proudly as an IAABO basketball official throughout the area for many years. In addition to his wife Eleanor of 62 years, survivors include three children, Mary Beth Bombardieri and her husband Richard of Fort Worth, TX, Christopher Bowden and his wife Nancy of Trumbull, and Donna Bowden Herring and her husband Donald of Newtown, six grandchildren, Brendan Shanley (wife Jennia), Matthew, Joy and Beau Bowden, Patrick and Emma Herring, a sister, Jean Gerlander of FL, a sister-in-law Dorothy Bowden of Easton, a brother-in-law, Zigmunt Stramoski of Bridgeport, as well as many nieces and nephews, and cousins, in addition to special cousin Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield. He was predeceased by a brother, John (Jack) Bowden and two sisters, Geraldine Stramoski and Hazel Bowes. The family would like to thank the Bridgeport Hospital Staff of the 8th floor, Richardson Eight, with special appreciation to RNs Steve, Vanessa, and Paul, and ALL the others not mentioned here, who were so special to him and our family in his time of need. Special thanks to the Hospice Staff as well. Funeral Information Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Stephens Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private. Family and friends may call on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105.