More detail on this person: John (Jay) Joseph McGowan died on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Jay was born September 17, 1938, in Trenton, NJ. His parents were Major General Donald Wilson and Helen Schoeffel McGowan. He grew up in Lawrenceville, NJ. Jay graduated from the Lawrenceville School and the University of Vermont. He graduated from UVM as a Distinguished Military Graduate and 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Service Corp. Six days after graduation he married Patricia Ann Merlone of Hamden, Connecticut. Jay attended Flight School and Helicopter Qualification School and was deployed to Vietnam in 1964 in the 57th Medical Detachment for evacuation and rescue. While in Vietnam, he was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the Bronze Star medal and Army Commendation medal, both with V device for valor. After finishing his yearlong deployment in Vietnam, Jay was stationed with his family in Japan for two and a half years with a unit that transported RVN wounded to and from hospitals and air bases. Then he and the family were stationed in Korea for one year. Jay then retired from the military and was employed as a helicopter pilot with the Port Authority of NY and NJ for 32 years. He began his career as a helicopter pilot and eventually became Chief Pilot and Manager of the Wall Street Heliport. Jay was a Scoutmaster with Troop 32 for 13 years. He greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of scouting and the outdoors with the boys. Jay is survived by his wife Pat, his four children, Stuart, Heather, Keith, and Sarah, and six grandchildren. Services will be held at Arlington Cemetery at a future date. Posted online on June 29, 2023 Published in Asbury Park Press
Burial information: Arlington Cemetery
This information was last updated 07/01/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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