Joseph A. Bowen was born on January 5, 1912 in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey. He was a parishioner at Mount Carmel and graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1930 where he played tennis and soccer. He later lived in Ridgewood with his wife, the former Effie Macksoud (RHS '29), and 4 year old adopted son Michael. From May 1932 until September 1943 he was associated with his father who owned and ran the Paterson Laundry Company in Paterson. An "older" recruit, Joe entered the service April 1, 1944, training at Camp Dix and Camp Meade before going overseas in September. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Private in the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on November 23, 1944 in Germany at the age of 32 and is now buried in Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com