Douglas McGowan

MCGOWAN, MAJOR DOUGLAS. business person; b. 18 November 1915 in Kilmuir, son of Malcolm Campbell McGowan and Jessie Murchison; m. first 12 October 1945 Elizabeth Margaret Watson of Toronto, and they had six children, Marlene, Anne, Rose Ellen, Dara, Denise, and Malcolm; m. secondly 1973 Irene Judson Harper, who had two sons, Dewar and Stephen Harper; Presbyterian; d. 25 October 1989 in Montague. McGowan, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1959 for 3rd Kings. He was re-elected in the general election of 1962. Before entering provincial politics, he had been Deputy Mayor of Montague from 1951 to 1955. McGowan's brother Neil Murdock* also served in the Legislative Assembly. McGowan received his early education at Kilmuir School and West Kent School in Charlottetown. He attended Mount Allison University from 1935 to 1937. From 1932 to 1936, McGowan was a truck driver. After attending Mount Allison, he worked as a salesman and mechanic for McGowan Motors in Kilmuir. McGowan held the rank of Major with the Armoured Corps Division of the Canadian Grenadier Guards in the Second World War. In 1944 he received the Military Cross and in 1945 the Efficient Service Medal. McGowan also received the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Merit and was the Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Prince Edward Island Regiment. He commanded militia units in Montague and Souris from1947 to 1953. Following the Second World War, McGowan established McGowan Motors in Montague. He retired as president of the company in 1975. McGowan served as chair of the board of trustees of Kings County Memorial Hospital. He also was president of the Montague Curling Club, and Chairman and Group Commander of Cubs and Scouts. Douglas McGowan died 25 October 1989.