John T. McGowan, 71

Family and friends are mourning the passing of John T. McGowan, aged 71, of Woodstock, Illinois on April 7, 2026. John leaves his wife of 38 years, Scarlet, their two children, Colin, and Alyson Shaughnessy (Andrew), and his goddaughter, Carrie Beth Waghorn.

His surviving siblings are Mary Weems (Thomas), Susan Case (Ken), Jean Kline (Jon), and Patrick. John was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Helen (Simsbury, Connecticut), and brother-in-law Thomas Weems.

Born in Rockville Centre, New York, on January 28, 1955, John carried the quintessential traits of a New Englander – frugality, honesty, directness, with a steadfast commitment to fair play and the traditional values of home and family. An intelligent, quirky sense of humor with an overlay of British wit was unique to John and enjoyed by all who knew him.

John’s professional journey was as varied as it was impactful. After his New England upbringing, he served with the U.S. Air Force, where he was based in England addressing technical specifications for U.S. fighter planes. This international experience sharpened the technical brilliance he later brought to Recon Optical in Barrington, Illinois.

Most recently, John employed his considerable software creation and support skills at School District 214, Arlington Heights. Illustrative of John’s character and acumen was the creation of software to manage the personal ambient environment of a student who could not regulate her fluctuating body temperature as she moved from room to room, thus enabling her to have the opportunity to succeed.

John moved to Barrington from Long Island, New York in 1986, and two months later, he and Scarlet met. Soon it became obvious that they were the perfect match, providing each other love and comic relief.

John is, and will be, sorely missed. A fine man, loving husband, father, brother, and good friend, who exemplified the important things in life and directed his skills and energy toward them.

Well done, John McGowan! Excellent!

Interment will be private. Donations can be made to World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/story/

John appreciated and enjoyed his neighbors. In his honor, perform an act of kindness for yours.

May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you!