Date of death: 3/9/2024
Saint Meinrad Class: C 1985
Father Daniel F. Gowen 64 of Hamilton, NJ formerly of Manasquan, NJ died Saturday, March 9, 2024. Born in Bayonne, NJ, Father Dan grew up in Manasquan, NJ, attended St. Denis School, and graduated from St. Rose High School. He studied at Mercer County Community College, NJ, and Aviation Careers Institute, Norwood, Mass. He had his private pilot certificate and was air traffic control certified. Father Dan completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN, and received his Master of Divinity at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD. He was ordained a priest on December 2, 1989, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, NJ by Bishop John C. Reiss.
Father Dan was a chaplain at the College of New Jersey, a Spiritual Advisor at Gettysburg College, and the Assistant Chaplain of the New Jersey State Police. He taught at McCorristin High School, Trenton, NJ where he was the Chaplin. Father Dan’s assignments as a priest of the Diocese of Trenton included: St. Ann, Keansburg, St. Anthony, Trenton, St. Joseph, Toms River, St. Catharine, Spring Lake, St. Michael, West End, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Highlands, St. Elizabeth, Avon, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Riverside and Our Lady of Sorrows/St. Anthony, Mercerville.
Father Dan enjoyed traveling – especially with his family, including trips to Alaska, Ireland, the Outer Banks, and numerous trips to his favorite destination, Walt Disney World. He loved family gatherings, and holidays, especially Christmas, and he was always extremely generous. December was Father Dan’s month – he celebrated his birthday, ordination to the priesthood, and Christmas. He was passionate about history and enjoyed working on his family’s ancestry. He was a lifelong frustrated NY Yankee and NY Giants fan but did hold the claim to fame of being in Fenway Park when Bucky Dent hit his amazing home run to beat the Red Sox and go into the playoffs. However, far and away his religious faith was central to who he was as a Shepherd of God. He loved serving others and living out his ministry.
Father Dan was predeceased by his mother Bridget McGlynn Gowen. Surviving are his father Matthew J. Gowen, his siblings, Matt Gowen and his wife Diana, Bernie Gowen and his wife Dawn, Joe Gowen and his wife Laurie, Jim Gowen and his wife Linda, Marianne Gowen Ely and her husband Brien, 13 nieces and nephews: Bernard Jr. and his wife Monse, Mark, Joseph and his wife Karly, James Jr., Colin, Megan, Michael, Christopher, Mary, Andrew, Matthew, Katherine, Brien Jr. and a great-niece Kaylee.