Mr. William Edward Owen

William Edward Owen 1935-2025 Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle Bill Owen was Lowell through and through. A lifelong resident, he spent nearly 90 years in the city's Back Central, Christian Hill, and South Lowell neighborhoods. On Friday, March 7, he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Born in 1935 to the late John James Owen and Jane Mary (McNamara) Owen, Bill grew up in Back Central, playing sandlot ballgames and watching World War II newsreels at the long-closed, but still-remembered Rialto. When he was 12, a flock of nuns caught him stealing apples near St. Anthony’s Church and he received a grilling from Father Grillo. Bill graduated from St. Peter’s School in 1949, a devoted altar boy in that parish who decided as a teen not to become a priest, a decision that his descendants reading this obituary cheer and celebrate often. He was a member of Lowell High School’s class of 1953, joining the US Naval Reserves after graduation. He served until his honorable discharge seven years later. In 1960, he followed a friend to a job interview at Western Electric in North Andover, interviewed, and got the job that his friend didn’t. Bill worked at Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies for over 40 years, always saying the place wouldn’t survive without him. Sure enough, Bill retired in 2000, and the Merrimack Valley plant closed a few years later. When sitting still in retirement became too much, Bill got a part-time job working mornings in the IT department at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, a position he held until 2008. Over the years, Bill was an active member in several Lowell churches, including St. Peter’s, Sacred Heart, and Holy Family. He was also a longtime coach and manager in local baseball and football leagues, coaching many generations of city kids from the 1950s through the 1980s. Bill married Donna Quintal in 1965, who survives him. He is also survived by his son, Ryan, daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and grandchildren, Nora, Will, and Wes, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Shirley Gaumond, Marilyn Nash, and Elizabeth St. Laurent, his cousin who was like a sister, Emily Kelley, and his wife’s army of housecats who he somewhat reluctantly tolerated like children. Private services will be held, followed by a Celebration of Life at a later date. Memorial contributions are welcome and should be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital @ stjude.org or the charity of your choice. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com

Mr. William Edward Owen

August 24, 1935 - March 7, 2025