Obituary of Willet R. Bowen

Willet Raynor Bowen, M.D., of Brookfield CT, passed away in his home, as he wished, of natural causes at age 90, on October 3, 2016. Willet was the son of Willet Bowen Sr. a prominent businessman in Syracuse NY and Ruth Harty. He was predeceased by two sisters Mary Stevens and Sally Benforado. Willet was a WWII veteran, serving in the Navy on the USS Boxer. He was a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and married his beloved wife, Ethel Murray Bowen in 1951. Willet received his medical degree in pediatrics from SUNY College of Medicine, Syracuse, NY . The couple moved to Brookfield CT where Willet dedicated himself to raising his family and practicing medicine as a pediatrician for over 25 years. He was Chief of Pediatrics at Danbury Hospital and valued the many professionals and friends that he worked with. He was also a devout member of St Joseph’s Parish. Ethel and Willet were exemplary in their love of God, one another, their family and community. They celebrated their 60th anniversary together before Ethel passed away in 2011. Willet also enjoyed working in the yard, boating on Lake Candlewood, and was a knowledgeable sports enthusiast. Two of his many favorite sayings were “I have pinstripes on my heart (Yankees)” and “Peace in our time”. Willet was tremendously loved and will be greatly missed by his surviving 5 children: Mary Chatman, Ruth Tatum, Theresa McGorty, Margaret Levy, Joseph Bowen, 8 grandchildren: James, Anna & Michael Chatman, Natalie & Emily Tatum, Kelly & Shea McGorty, Rebecca Levy, 3 great-grandchildren: Amiyah and Michael Chatman II and Brooklyn Chatman. There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Joseph Church, Brookfield on October 13, 2016 at 10:00am. Burial with military honors will follow at St Peter’s Cemetery Danbury. The Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Rd, Brookfield is in charge of arrangements.