Howard William Bowden

It is with full hearts and overwhelming love that we announce the passing of Howard William Bowden, 65, of Tybee Island, Georgia. After a courageous battle with lung cancer, Howard found peace on July 19, leaving behind a world that is immeasurably quieter without his laughter, sparkling wit, and remarkable ability to make every person feel like they belonged.

Howard was born to Howard and Doris Bowden in Suffern, NY on July 29,1960. The youngest of their 4 children and their only son. From there the family moved to New Jersey where he grew up in Washington Township, graduated from Westwood High School, and remained a lifelong fan of his alma-mater, The University of Alabama – Roll Tide! He later built a beautiful life in both Savannah and Tybee Island, GA, where family, friends, and good conversation were always at the forefront.

Howard's greatest gift was people. He never met a stranger- only someone whose story he hadn't heard yet. Whether unexpectedly running into someone from Washington Township in Ireland, making friends during his and Shannon’s extended time in Ecuador, a customer “mulling about” about the retail store he once owned in downtown Savannah, or chatting with the barstool patron next to him, Howard had an extraordinary way of making everyone feel welcome. He believed every story mattered, every person belonged, and there was always room for one more chair at the table. He didn't just enjoy community- he created it. He incited a playful nature in extroverts, introverts, and all that sat somewhere in between. There was seldom a person around him who was not hopeful to be invited into the conversation, and feeling welcomed was something everyone close to Howie felt in abundance.

A gifted storyteller, lover of language, and certified teacher of English as a Second Language, Howard delighted in bringing people together. As a volunteer camp-host on Tybee Island, he hosted poetry slams that became beloved potluck traditions. He was well-known in the Tybee Arts Association, becoming a thespian in many plays, as well as coaching the local YMCA basketball team. On Columbus Day weekends in the early 2000’s, he organized his legendary charity softball game- proudly advertised as "still legal in 17 states". Nearly a hundred family members and friends gathered each year for good music, mediocre softball, questionable sportsmanship, unforgettable memories, and intentional philanthropy. Howard understood that life was never about what you brought, but that you showed up, and were open to play, in whatever form that took.

His curiosity carried him throughout Central and South America, where he immersed himself in people, cultures, and music he loved. He spent holidays with his family walking adoptable dogs in Belize and created communities out of other travelers, and within the last year, drove across the country with his daughter, saw the Grand Canyon, and saw Dead & Company at the Sphere, where he was fortunate enough to experience one of Bob Weir’s final performances. Distance, time, and proximity never abated his values of family, friendship, and a good playlist.

Howard leaves behind his partner in adventure and devoted wife of 13 years, Shannon McCoy-Bowden. He was predeceased by his first wife, Michelle Robertson Bowden, and is survived by their three loving daughters, Gracie, Nora, and Addie. Missing him deeply are his sisters and their spouses, Linda Bowden (John Sims), Patricia Flaherty (Marc), and Diane Bowden (Jim Pricola), along with a faithful following of nieces and nephews who affectionately knew him as "Uncle Fun." There was seldom a board or card game Howard proposed that others did not want to join, no matter the age or aptitude.

Our family will forever be grateful that, just one week before his passing, all 33 of us gathered for a family reunion in the Adirondacks. There could have been no more fitting final memory than one filled with laughter, stories, and the people he loved most.

To grieve Howard so deeply is to remember how fully and fervently he loved. He created reasons to gather, welcomed everyone into the circle, and turned strangers into friends. His legacy lives on in every crowded room, every spirited conversation, every tradition worth keeping, and every person who leaves a little extra space for someone new.

Howard, we miss you terribly already. Thank you for showing us that the richest life is measured not by what we achieve or what we want, but by the people we bring together and the stories we leave behind.

Please join the family as we celebrate Howard’s life and lasting legacy on October 18th, 2026 at American Legion Post 154, Tybee Island, GA from 2:00-5:00 PM.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com