Obituary of Stephen A. Gowe

Stephen "Steve" Allan Gowe, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday evening, September 16, 2015 with his family by his side after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Steve was 48 years old. Steve was predeceased by his grandmother and grandfather, Charles and Anastasia Osman; father, Allan Gowe; his mother, Mary Anne Gowe; and nephew, Kevin Gowe. Steve is survived by his adoring wife, Brenda Longstreet Gowe, with whom he recently celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary at Seneca Lake with family. His most cherished and precious daughter, Erin Catherine Gowe; and, step-son whom he couldn't be more proud of, Evan Longstreet McHugh. Also surviving is loving and loyal sister, Cheryl Gowe Gates and her husband Christopher Gates of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and nephews Brent (Olga), Christian and Benjamin Gates and great-niece Brooklyn "Boo" Gates; brother and best friend, Andrew Gowe and his wife, Kristina Gowe of Vestal, New York, nephew Colin Gowe and niece Katelin Gowe. Steve is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Phyllis and Richard Longstreet of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Steve leaves behind his special childhood friends to the end, John Angelo, Robert Charles Heuman, and Andy Connolly who cared for him in his final days as well as many other friends too numerous to mention. Steve was born on June 12, 1967 in Johnson City, NY, the middle child of Allan and Mary Anne Gowe. Steve attended Vestal Schools and graduated from Vestal High School in 1985. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University in 1991. He was employed by Binghamton University initially as Grounds Manager, and later as Assistant Director of Physical Facilities. Steve left a lasting legacy which can be seen in the grounds, athletic fields and green space on campus. Steve was especially proud of his involvement in the 9/11 memorial space and the installation of the flowering pear trees that welcome visitors to campus. Steve was a die-hard football fanatic, which started early in his youth. He started out in the Vestal Youth Football League (VYFL) at the age of six; where he fanned life-long friendships and developed a work ethic that would serve him through his life. He would later go on to coach VYFL; he loved working with kids and sharing his love of the game with young athletes. Steve loved the New York Giants and never missed a game, no matter where he was. Aside from football, Steve loved to play lacrosse; he competed as a Vestal Golden Bear and later played intramural lacrosse at Cornell. Steve spent many years involved in local dirt modified racing and USAC Silver Crown series, nationwide. Steve formed lasting friendships through racing as part of the Gowe Brothers/Doug Worthing and Richard Tobias racing teams even had a hand in the construction of the first Slingshot by Tobias racing chassis. Steve was a great friend to many. He was a man of few words, tough as nails and loyal like no other. He saw the good in everyone. He loved to cook, golf, watch the Mets and the Buckeyes and silently compete with his neighbor's lawn care abilities. He was a doting father, so incredibly proud of his children and nephews and nieces. The family would like to thank Steve's friends and co-workers at Binghamton University, the special people at the Broome County Office Building, extended family and extraordinary neighbors of Belmont Avenue and the staff of Lourdes Hospice for their care and support through this difficult time. Steve fought his battle with courage, dignity and without complaint. Steve will be painfully missed by so many. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent DePaul Blessed Sacrament Church, Clubhouse Rd., Vestal on Saturday at 9:30am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton on Friday from 5-8pm. Those wishing to honor Steve's memory should consider a donation to the Vestal Youth Football League, PO Box 1071, Vestal, NY 13851.