George Mutchler Gowen, Jr.

George Mutchler Gowen, Jr., of West Chester, PA and Stone Harbor, NJ, 84, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2025.

Born November 12, 1940, in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late George and Dorothy (nee Brown) Gowen.

George (a/k/a Chip) was raised in Drexel Hill and Bala Cynwyd and attended Waldron Academy and St. Joseph’s Prep before graduating from The College of the Holy Cross in 1962. After college, George served in the U.S. Navy as the Chief Engineer of the USS York County. George made life-long friends in both college and the Navy and regaled his family with stories of both throughout his life.

After serving his country, George turned to the family business, Thomas F. Gowen & Sons, a manufacturers’ rep agency for hunting and fishing gear, taking the reins from his uncle in 1973. For almost all of his remaining years, George dedicated himself to the business, taking great pride in the success that provided a livelihood for the men and women he was privileged to lead. He was proud that his son, Tony, is carrying on his legacy.

George was one-of-a-kind. A bibliophile, he admired a well-turned phrase and had a poem, anecdote, song or joke for every occasion. Landscaping was not a chore but a hobby. With a fierce passion for Guinness, George took great pride in his Irish heritage, expanding his business to Ireland and inexplicably speaking in an Irish brogue. He loved to fish, though he would say he wasn’t any good at it. He spent every summer of his life, when not in the Navy, down the shore, mostly in Stone Harbor, NJ, where he was well-known at the Mole Hole, at the YCSH (of which he was a life-long member), at Fred’s and in the hearts of many that he took great care to befriend. Many a dog will miss the treats he left for them on the sidewalk outside the family home.

George was a patriarch, interested and involved in the lives of his extended family. He was generous with both his time and resources. Above all else, however, he was in love with and devoted to his late wife, Paula. George said that they were “made for each other,” and he routinely pronounced Paula as the greatest blessing in his very blessed life.

George is survived by his children Ellen Brophy (Stephen), George Gowen III (Gayle) and Anthony Gowen (Shanna), grandchildren Gabriel, Laura and Thomas Gowen and William and Megan Brophy, his twin, Ellen McNeill and his brother, Thomas Gowen. He is also survived by many devoted nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his wife, Paula (née Nyhart), and siblings Bonnie and Kevin Gowen.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10:00-11:30 AM Friday, October 24, 2025 at St. Katharine of Siena Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Legion.