Hudson – Leonard T. “La” Bowen Sr., a lifelong resident of Hudson, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at home, with his loving family by his side, aged 90 years. He was the beloved husband of the late Jean M. (Renney) Bowen.
Born Sept. 25, 1926 in Hudson, he was a son of the late James P. and Catherine (Blott) Bowen. He received his early education at the Linden and Harriman grammar schools. He graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1944, where he excelled in hockey and baseball.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Sept. 21, 1944, serving as Seaman First Class aboard the USS ABSD-6, until his honorable discharge June 23, 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Medal.
He worked at the former Lamson Lumber company as a bookkeeper for 36 years, retiring in 1986.
La and Jean began dating shortly after he returned from the war. They married Oct. 10, 1953, and began a journey of love and devotion spanning 56 years. In their younger days, they could dance a jitterbug to put any ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro to shame.
A civic leader and proud resident, La’s contributions to his beloved town of Hudson were many. He served as Town Assessor for 25 years. In the early 1960s, he founded Hudson Youth Hockey, serving as its first President, and was also Umpire-In-Chief and Vice President of Hudson Little League Baseball. In recognition of his over 25 years of dedication to the town, he was awarded Official Citations by both the Massachusetts House and Senate in 1981.
Proudly inducted into the Hudson High School Hall of Fame for both baseball and hockey, he was a star member of the 1941 and 1944 Eastern Mass State Champion hockey teams. In 1966, he began coaching hockey at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In 1982, his last year of coaching the WPI Engineers, they went undefeated on a roster that included four members of the 1978 Hudson High School State Champion team.
As coach, mentor and spectator, he was actively involved with his son’s sports teams over the years, a tradition he continued with his grandchildren. Grampa Bowen was a constant fixture on the sidelines of their many softball, soccer and baseball games, proudly cheering them on as their number one fan. He also loved watching (and moaning about) the Red Sox and Patriots.
After retiring, he and Jean enjoyed wintering in Longboat Key, Fla., but it was summers spent at their cottage in Hampton Beach, where friends were treated like family and everyone left with a full stomach, they enjoyed the most. As “mayor,” La coordinated with precision the ever-changing parking configurations. The sidewalks will never be swept the same…
La could tell a joke like no other, and delighted in making people laugh with one of his favorite stories. You knew you were in for a doozey when he started with “did I tell you the one about…” Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his large, loving family at holiday gatherings, birthday parties, and especially the many lobster and steamer fests held on Concord Avenue in Hampton.
A loving husband, dedicated father, devoted “Grampa” to his grandchildren, and doting “Papa with no hair” to his great-grandchildren, he will always be remembered for his quick wit, impeccable storytelling and special nicknames for all.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Notre Dame Health Care Hospice for their excellent care and compassion during La’s illness.
He is survived by four sons, Leonard T. Bowen Jr. and his wife Susan, Thomas C. Bowen and his wife Linda, Brian G. Bowen and his wife Kim, and Robert D. Bowen and his wife Sue, all of Hudson; nine grandchildren, Kellie, Katie, Melissa, Laura, Sara, Ryan, Shalyn, Kristen, and Robbie; and six great-grandchildren, Olivia, Blake, Sophia, Noah, Joshua, and Abigail. He was the brother of the late James P. Bowen Jr. and Eileen M. Mills.
Friends will be received Thursday, Oct. 6, from 3-7 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson. His funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m., at St. Michael’s Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson (please meet at church). Burial will follow in Forestvale Cemetery of Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may make memorial donations in his name to the Hudson Youth Athletic Association, c/o Hudson Recreation Department, 78 Main St., Hudson, MA 01749.
