Obituary of George W. Bowne

George William Bowne passed away August 24, 2016 at the A.O. Fox Memorial Home in Oneonta, NY following a brief period of decline. He was 96 years old. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY on March 10, 1920, George was the son of Nelson and Bertha (Frank) Bowne, twin brother of Gerald Nelson Bowne and brother of Marion (Bowne) Dederer. For several generations The Bowne Family had been Dutchess County residents and active members of the First Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie. After growing-up in Poughkeepsie and graduating from high school George was employed at IBM in Poughkeepsie. He worked in the shipping room until retiring in 1967. In 1979 George married Madeleine (Mady) Valentino. They became an unusually loving couple, living and playing together for 35 years until her death in 2014. For many summers George loved to take Mady on long camping trips to Maine. Creating a vast collection of lighthouse memorabilia and friends. Sunday nights they bowled in a mixed league at Mardi Bob Lanes in Poughkeepsie. They attended endless Country Western Festivals dancing throughout the night. Bingo and other table games were favorites, as well. George loved music, singing bass in the Newyorkers Chorus, an a cappella barbershop-style choir of Poughkeepsie. If a Dutchess County Diner Club existed, then George and Mady would have been its most active late night members. Together they perfected the art of relaxing and enjoying life. George lived in Wappingers Falls, NY until 2014 when he moved to Wingate at Beacon Skilled Nursing in Beacon, NY to reunite with his wife. Recently George moved to Oneonta to be closer to his remaining family members. George was predeceased by both parents, Nelson and Bertha (Frank) Bowne, sister, Marion (Bowne) Dederer of Pleasant Valley NY and twin brother, Gerald N. Bowne of Sidney, NY; nephews Robert Dederer of Pleasant Valley, NY and William Dederer III of Newburgh, NY. He is survived by nephews Douglas (Catherine) of Little Falls, NY, William (Julie) Dederer Jr. of Old Orchard Beach, ME, nieces Kaima (Edmond) of Franklin, NY, Heidi (John) of Binghamton, NY, Marcia of Oneonta, NY, Joanne Dederer of Pleasant Valley, NY, Christian (Jim) Dederer of Bangor, ME, and a dozen grand nephews and nieces. Wherever George and Mady went they attracted angels. Some of the angels were right at home—their Walker Place neighbors in Wappingers Falls. The Bowne family deeply appreciates this old-fashion neighborly thoughtfulness. As they grew older and less able, their strong desire to remain living together at home was enabled by the Walker Place neighbors; Ron and Ellamarie Cservak, Roland and Edele Tannini and Ricky Serino. We are especially appreciative to Doug and Lori Outwater and Chris Davis for their exceptional support. Without them, George and Mady would not have been able to stay at home together into their early 90's. A graveside service and interment of ashes will be held at Beekman Cemetery, Beekman, NY on Friday, September 2 at 2:00 pm. Friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a favorite animal shelter or the Hudson Valley Hospice at 374 Violet Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, or, online at hospiceinfo@hvhospice.org Condolences may be sent to George Bowne at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls, NY, or, online at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.