In Memoriam of Edward J. Bowes '60

We have lost a dear friend and a Loughlin legend. Edward J. J. Bowes '60 passed away on Friday, July 31st, 2020, at the age of 78. The Loughlin family is simply heartbroken. We mourn with his wife of 31 years, Amelia, and the entire Bowes family.

Mr. Bowes was a star athlete, coach, mentor, teacher, fundraiser, and much more at Loughlin. His coaching career spanned from 1964-2003, but he remained a regular and beloved presence at Loughlin through 2020.

Ed didn't so much follow in the footsteps of the great George Eastment (1931-1945) and Bill Miles (1945-1964) as he blazed his own trail. Coach Bowes led his teams to three Championship of America races at the Penn Relays (where Loughlin has more titles than any other school), twelve CHSAA girls titles, and four boys titles. The Brother Visitor of DENA (District of Eastern North America) Bro. Dennis Lee recently said it well. "Ed expected dedication from his young track athletes, and he modeled that for them by his life. Ed was one of a kind, and indeed very kind and generous. His legacy is within the countless young lives that he helped form."

What he did for CHSAA track was remarkable. For 31 years he served as meet director of the Bishop Loughlin Games at the Armory and now held at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island. The primary mission for the meet is to provide scholarships for athletes in need. In 1973 he created the first of the modern Manhattan College Invitational cross country championships at Van Cortland Park that included 12 races and nearly 2000 athletes. It has grown to become one of the most famous events in the country with more than 40 races and more than ten thousand athletes from across the nation. He served as meet director for a remarkable 44 years. In 2019 he was presented with a finish line plaque that declared the meet's final stretch as "Ed Bowes Way."

Before any of his coaching feats, Ed was a star athlete for both Loughlin and Manhattan College. He ran the 1972 NYC Marathon and was the race leader after 23 miles. Not long after he began his mentorship of two-time USA Olympian Matt Centrowitz, helping the high school phenom to a 4:02.7 mile time at the AAU Junior nationals. A NY state record that stands to this day.

Ed Bowes was a generous man. He gave Loughlin everything. He gave time, energy, passion, dedication, example, and dollars. Providing scholarship aid was incredibly important to him. He gave personally and he made sure that others did the same. One of the important legacies he leaves is the Tyrone Pannell '60 Scholarship which has supported Loughlin students for many years.

In addition to his wife, Amelia Bowes, he is survived by his sisters Mary Jo Crino and her husband Ralph, Kathleen White and her husband John, his brother James Bowes and his wife Dorothy. He was the loving uncle of eight nieces and nephews and their loved ones; seven great-nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his sister Geraldine Bowes and niece Julianne White.

We will miss Ed dearly.

 

Manhattan College Tribute

A scholarship fund has been set up in honor of Mr. Bowes. If you wish to donate, click below

DONATE