Obituary for John C. Owens Sr.
COHOES John “Jack” C. Owens of Buckingham Lane, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 8, 2021. He was 84 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Connie to whom he was married for 56 years.
A lifelong resident of Cohoes, he was predeceased by his parents Charles and Rita Owens (Lynch) and his sister Kathleen Charbonneau. Jack graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954. It was there that he met and fell in love with Connie Arndt. After high school, Jack served as a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagles (101st Airborne). Fortunately, it was peacetime and jumping out of aircraft was all the action he saw. A few years ago, he attended an airshow in Syracuse and was able to climb back into an old C-130 from which he had jumped while in the service. For his 80th birthday, Jack pulled his jump wings out again. Not only did he skydive but he also went hang gliding and hot air ballooning.
Jack and Connie were married in 1959 and embarked on a Hallmark-Channel life together. Jack had one sibling, Connie had seven and they remained close to all. As their family grew so did the joy. They raised five children together. Summers were a time for adventure growing up in the Owens household with countless camping excursions and large family gatherings. They spent the entire summer of 1978 with the Arndt family in Toms River, NJ with four adults, two boats, and way too many children to count.
Following his time in the service, Jack earned a BA in Business from Siena College. Although Jack started out as a tax auditor for the IRS, he quickly realized that teaching was the career for him so he went back to Siena to earn his MS Degree. Jack taught at Watervliet High School from 1965 through 1993. While there he made countless friends, taught thousands of students, and coached tennis and soccer. Also in 1965, Jack and Connie started the Owens Tax Preparation Business which they operated through 2013.
In retirement, Jack took up golf. Although his game never improved to his expectations, he did enjoy the time with his friends so very much. Connie and Jack loved travelling with friends and visiting grandchildren. Connie passed away in 2015. It is a great joy to know they are together again.
Survived by his children: Kathleen "Kate" Owens (Carlton Phelps, MD) of Loudonville, John C. Owens Jr. (Linda) of Plymouth, NY, Kristina M. Oliver (Chuck) of Halfmoon, Mark C. Owens (Kim) of Midlothian, VA, and Matthew A. Owens (Mary) of Grasonville, MD, loving and much cherished grandchildren Lily Phelps, Zachary and Jennifer Owens, Nathan and Grace Oliver, Alex, Molly, Luke, Jack, Emily and Andrew Owens. The nieces and nephews, too numerous to list, will remember “Uncle Jack” with great fondness.
Our dad was a gentle soul and a compassionate listener who positively impacted all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 17 at 12:30 pm at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte.32), Waterford.
Relatives and friends may visit with his family at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 am to 12:30 pm, prior to the service.
As per pandemic regulations, masks are required, social distancing and occupancy limitations observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Cohoes Public Library at 169 Mohawk Street, Cohoes, NY 12047.
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A lifelong resident of Cohoes, he was predeceased by his parents Charles and Rita Owens (Lynch) and his sister Kathleen Charbonneau. Jack graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954. It was there that he met and fell in love with Connie Arndt. After high school, Jack served as a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagles (101st Airborne). Fortunately, it was peacetime and jumping out of aircraft was all the action he saw. A few years ago, he attended an airshow in Syracuse and was able to climb back into an old C-130 from which he had jumped while in the service. For his 80th birthday, Jack pulled his jump wings out again. Not only did he skydive but he also went hang gliding and hot air ballooning.
Jack and Connie were married in 1959 and embarked on a Hallmark-Channel life together. Jack had one sibling, Connie had seven and they remained close to all. As their family grew so did the joy. They raised five children together. Summers were a time for adventure growing up in the Owens household with countless camping excursions and large family gatherings. They spent the entire summer of 1978 with the Arndt family in Toms River, NJ with four adults, two boats, and way too many children to count.
Following his time in the service, Jack earned a BA in Business from Siena College. Although Jack started out as a tax auditor for the IRS, he quickly realized that teaching was the career for him so he went back to Siena to earn his MS Degree. Jack taught at Watervliet High School from 1965 through 1993. While there he made countless friends, taught thousands of students, and coached tennis and soccer. Also in 1965, Jack and Connie started the Owens Tax Preparation Business which they operated through 2013.
In retirement, Jack took up golf. Although his game never improved to his expectations, he did enjoy the time with his friends so very much. Connie and Jack loved travelling with friends and visiting grandchildren. Connie passed away in 2015. It is a great joy to know they are together again.
Survived by his children: Kathleen "Kate" Owens (Carlton Phelps, MD) of Loudonville, John C. Owens Jr. (Linda) of Plymouth, NY, Kristina M. Oliver (Chuck) of Halfmoon, Mark C. Owens (Kim) of Midlothian, VA, and Matthew A. Owens (Mary) of Grasonville, MD, loving and much cherished grandchildren Lily Phelps, Zachary and Jennifer Owens, Nathan and Grace Oliver, Alex, Molly, Luke, Jack, Emily and Andrew Owens. The nieces and nephews, too numerous to list, will remember “Uncle Jack” with great fondness.
Our dad was a gentle soul and a compassionate listener who positively impacted all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 17 at 12:30 pm at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte.32), Waterford.
Relatives and friends may visit with his family at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 am to 12:30 pm, prior to the service.
As per pandemic regulations, masks are required, social distancing and occupancy limitations observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Cohoes Public Library at 169 Mohawk Street, Cohoes, NY 12047.
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