Horace E. Stowman, 76 of Provincetown, died Friday, July 26th at Cape Cod Hospital after a long struggle with health issues.
Horace was born on January 17th, 1943 in Dorchester, NJ, son of the late Walton and Gladys (Branin) Stowman. His family then moved to Millville, NJ where he graduated from Millville High School. He went on to Mortuary School in New York City, living in ‘The Village’.
He moved to Provincetown in 1963 acquiring the Cottage Restaurant. The restaurant drew gay leather groups to town as well as the cross-dressing community. In 1970, Horace acquired Fisherman's Cove Restaurant, which was next to the Cottage. In 1974, he met Mark Cross. Together, they bought the Ocean's Inn (currently Spindler's) in 1975. Community fundraisers were a common scene at the Ocean's Inn, raising money for the Provincetown Rescue Squad, the Provincetown Fire Department and the Provincetown AIDS Support Group.
Mark and Horace started the Golden Gull Awards in 1982 honoring the entertainers who performed in Provincetown, acknowledging their talents and their contributions to the town. The award became an annual event. They received recognition from then Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis in appreciation for their work. Horace and Mark owned Ocean's Inn for 20 years, selling it in 1995 due to Mark's declining health. They were a together for 36 years until Mark passed away in 2010.
Horace was well known for his generous dinner parties attended by his many friends over the years. Horace is survived by those close friends who feel a deep sense of loss.
A memorial will be held at a date and time to be announced.