William J. McGowan, age 91, passed away peacefully Dec. 23, 2025, at King James Care One in Middletown. He was born Nov. 6, 1934, in Brooklyn. At a young age, he and his family moved to Monmouth County where he would spend the rest of his life. He attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and was a proud graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School.
Known to friends and business associates as Jack, William was a licensed Real Estate Broker in Red Bank for more than 50 years. He was a graduate of the Real Estate Institute and Monmouth College. From there, he dedicated his professional life to the real estate industry. Among his many accomplishments, Jack served as president of the Monmouth County Board of Realtors, as well as treasurer, director and Multiple Listing Service chairman. Under his leadership, the county’s many MLS services were successfully consolidated into a single service.
Jack proudly served in the United States Navy, stationed in Virginia, and cherished weekend passes spent back home in Port Monmouth with his best friend and fellow Navy veteran, Bob Largey.
Jack’s life took a joyful and transformative turn as he approached his 40th birthday when he married Eileen Giblin. He embraced the role of helping to raise her six children, and together they built a wonderful life. They shared many adventures together, often traveling up and down the East Coast, actively participating in their children and grandchildren’s lives. His children and grandchildren would affectionately call him “Gowan.”
Jack’s world took another turn in 2009 when Eileen passed away suddenly. Jack often said that the lyrics from “The Music Man” perfectly captured their love: “There were bells… but I never heard them ringing… ’til there was you.”
He was predeceased by his parents, William and Patricia McGowan; his brother Thomas McGowan; his son-in-law Fred Thacher; and his granddaughter Kelly Dockery.
Jack is survived by his children: Marybeth Thacher; John Ryan and his wife Lisa; Eileen Gillmore and her husband George; Paul Ryan and his wife Melissa; William Ryan and his wife Nancy; and Charles Ryan and his wife Mary. He is also survived by his brother Robert McGowan and his wife Maureen, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jack will be remembered for his integrity in business, the service to his country, and the deep love he held for those around him. Most of all, he will be remembered as a man who brought together and healed a family, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Not many men would have taken on this mantle of responsibility, but he did so with grace, love and devotion. He was in the stands at countless sporting events, theatrical events and school events to support his family in whatever endeavor they pursued. His absence will be felt deeply; his extraordinary life will be remembered by all who knew him and loved him.
Friends and family may gather at 10 a.m. Feb. 28 for a memorial Mass which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at The Church of the Holy Cross in Rumson, where Jack was a parishioner.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jack’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The article originally appeared in the January 22 – 28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
