Thomas J.P. McGowan, 84, died Nov, 28, 2009, at Indian River Medical Center. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 17 years, coming from Huntington, N.Y. He was educated at Fordham University, New York University Medical School and the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Institute. He practiced ophthalmology for more than 40 years and focused primarily on cataract surgery and corneal transplants. He was a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, a Knight of Malta and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Cherie McGowan of Vero Beach; daughters, Christine Inglis, Megan Kuntz, Catherine Crimmins and Maureen Lavelle; son, Thomas Sean McGowan; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Further services will be in Huntington, with burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
