Roy G. “Skip” Sowley, 80, died May 27, 2013, at VNA/Hospice House in Vero Beach.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach.
He joined American Airlines as a pilot and retired as a captain.
He was a Navy aviator, serving as a catapult officer and a flight instructor for the VS-30 squadron and a lieutenant commander on the USS Essex, among other vessels.
He received his degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University.
He attended Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross, Tailhookers Association, Allied Pilots Association and the Vero Beach Country Club.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Sowley, of Vero Beach; daughters, Donna Berry, of Rumson, N.J., and Pamela Martin, of Richmond, Va.; son, Roy Sowley Jr., of Mililani, Hawaii; sister, Marie Snure, of Point Pleasant, N.J.; and five grandchildr6en.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 2 p.m. May 31 at Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.