SPRINGFIELD - Michael Bowler, 91, of East Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, January 20, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Ballincolla, Ballyferriter, County Kerry, Ireland on March 21, 1932, a beloved son of the late Michael and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Bowler. He immigrated to the United States in 1954 and had worked for many years for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. He later worked for the Longmeadow School System. He was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church and was a member of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, both in Springfield. He enjoyed cheering on his New England sports teams, most especially the Boston Red Sox. He was proud to have attended the 1959 World Series game and witnessed Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitch a perfect game. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Bridget (Gannon) Bowler. They were married on May 31, 1958 at the former Saint Mary Church, now Mary, Mother of Hope Church, in Springfield and were blessed with over 65 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving children, Teresa Lilly and husband Thomas of Garden City, NY, Michael Bowler and wife Lisa of Somers, CT and Eileen Moriarty and husband Sean of West Springfield; his five cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Eileen Kupferberg and husband Michael, Sarah and Thomas Lilly and Kieran and Conor Moriarty as well as his two cherished great grandsons, David and George Kupferberg; his three dear sisters-in-law, Kathleen Bowler of Springfield, Breda Bowler of Ballincolla and Margaret Gannon of County Mayo, Ireland; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends in the United States and Ireland. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his six dear siblings, Richard Bowler and wife Joan, Mary Kane and husband Michael, Ann Walsh and husband Tom, Patrick Bowler, Breda Bowler and Sean Bowler. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, 33 Progress Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."