Monday, February 05, 2007

Charles J. Lowry, 1924 - 2007



Private-First Class Charles J. Lowry
Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division


Charles J. Lowry, life-long resident of Youngstown, father of eleven children, grandfather of eighteen and great-grandather to two, died early Sunday morning at his home after a long illness. He was born November 10, 1924, the only child of Charles E. and Margaret M. Lowry, attended McKinley Elementary School, and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1942. He spent time in the United States Army during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart. He married Jean Grocutt at Saint Columba in 1948. Jean passed away in February 1987. He was well known in Yougstown for owning Lowry's Custard Stand, first on Belmont Avenue and then for a long time on Logan Avenue. He retired from the United States Post Office and in his retirement, gave his time to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, for whom he opened and operated their first soup kitchen on Front Street from 1981 until 1987. He remained active in the St. Edward's St. Vincent DePaul Society until recently. He also was known for organizing bus trips to Saint Anne de Beaupre Shrine in Quebec, Canada and Notre Dame football games. In 2000, he was inducted into the Ursuline High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the first tennis player to be inducted.


Chuck's Honorable Discharge papers from the United States Army in 1945. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for being wounded during the battle for Brest, France on August 28, 1944. He spent almost two years in hospitals both in England and at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.


Chuck with his new bride Jean and Grandpa Pepperney on his wedding day, May 29, 1948.


Chuck with his granddaughter Caroline and her new husband Jon on their wedding day, November 25, 2006.


Chuck and Jean on their wedding day, May 29, 1948.


Chuck and Jean with little Pat on the front stoop at their house on Mansell.


Chuck and Pat


I'm sure he is plotting his way out of this event.


Chuck and Jean celebrating Christmas at his son Pat's house on Dennick Avenue in 1986.


Chuck with his daughters Mary and Kathy out at Chuck's house in Liberty.


Chuck's 80th birthday was celebrated in grand Lowry style.


More of his 80th birthday party, with son Mike in the foreground and daughter Margaret next to him.


Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town …

To leave comments and reflections of Chuck, select the "# Comments" link below this line.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely beautiful tribute. You did him proud!