BOWLEY, SR., Joseph Harvey

Joseph Harvey Bowley, Sr. passed away peacefully at home with his wife Joan (nee Tryon) by his side, on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010, of Sun City West, AZ. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and soldier. Beside his wife of 55 years, he is survived by his 6 loving children, Joseph Harvey Bowley, Jr., United States Air Force Academy, CO; Deborah Bowley (Albert) Henderson, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; Kathryn (Hector) Carrillo, Temecula, CA; Donald Merle Bowley, Arvada, CO; Sheryl Ann Cowger, Irvine, CA, and David Michael (Darla) Bowley, Temecula, CA. He is also survived by 14 loving grandchildren, Joseph Bowley, III, Killeen, TX; Sarah, Hannah and Emma Bowley, of Camarillo, CA; Kelly Carrillo, Temecula, CA; Michael Carrillo, San Diego, CA; Ryan and Nicoli Bowley, of Arvada, CO; Danielle, Scott and Steven Cowger, of Irvine, CA; and, Joscelyn, Bridgett and Arianna Bowley, of Temecula, CA; his sister Phyllis Shifter of Clearfield, PA, and Barb Bowley (sister-in-law) of Wilcox, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Merle Harvey Bowley and Cecilia Deal Bowley, Wilcox, PA; sisters Delia Shimmel, Clearfield, PA; Kathryn Bowley Mills, Johnsonburg, PA, and Jane Kitko, Clearfield, PA; and brother George Bowley, Wilcox, PA. He was born in Wilcox, PA, January 16, 1930. He attended Wilcox High School and graduated in 1949. He was active in sports; glee, science, wrestling and Varsity “W” clubs; student council and officer; yearbook staff and librarian. Between 1949 to 1953, he was a CPL (T), member of the MTR CO 16th INF, United States Army, and served in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge, he attended the University of Pittsburgh, PA, where he met his college sweetheart and wife. He was married on October 21, 1956. He later transferred to California State Long Beach, CA, in 1957 and earned his Bachelor of Science - Education in 1962. He was nominated as an All American Soccer Player during his college years. After graduation from college, he worked for the Catholic Youth Organization as a social worker for 20 years. After leaving the CYO, he worked as the City Manager for Brea for one year; and, made a career change and went into bus transportation as an area supervisor and bus driver trainer teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Moreover, he drove bus for both the 1984 Olympics and Special Olympics in Los Angeles, CA. He retired from transportation in 1986. He enjoyed family get-togethers, out-door activities, fishing, reading and sports. He was an avid gardener throughout his life. He kept two plots at the Sun City West Garden, AZ, and grew vegetables for his friends, neighbors and the local food bank. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign War, and the Woodworkers Club and served as an officer in various positions, while residing in Sun City West, AZ, for the past 15 years. He made wooden toys annually for Toys-for-Tots. He was a dedicated woodworker; his specialties included hand carved bowls, carved figurines, rolling pins and customized luggage racks. He also refinished and made custom furniture, and he enjoyed cutting out wood projects that were tole painted. A memorial service was held on February 25, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., officiated by Father John Le Vecke, at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. His grandson, Michael Carrillo, read the eulogy. A military honor guard folded and presented the flag to his wife during the mass. In lieu of flowers, Barbara Mills Duffy has coordinated a memorial in his honor at the Wilcox Public Library, Post Office Box 58, Wilcox, PA 15870, and phone (814) 929-5639. Her memorial tribute best describes our families’ sentiment about him: Our loved ones leave behind spaces in the world that can never be filled. But they also leave behind love and light in each of us, sparks of joy and hope that live in our hearts and give strength to our souls. Joseph’s lively spirit will live forever in all who were lucky enough to know him. He touched many lives, and passed on goodness wherever he went. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.