Obituary of Darryl McGowan

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Darryl McGowan on December 10th, 2025, at the age of 69.

Darryl was the devoted husband of Debbie for 45 years, a superhero father to Autumn and Doug (Kelly), and a beloved Pa to his grandchildren, Wyatt, Mack, and Emma. He worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide for his family, and they adored him for his unwavering love and dedication. Darryl cherished time spent outdoors with them and took great joy in watching his children, and later his grandchildren play hockey.

He was the son of the late Earl (1958) and Jean (2014) McGowan. He was the brother of Doug (Donna-Lynne) McGowan, who he loved as a second father. He will be deeply missed by his nieces Sandra Marshall and Christine (Dale) Woodland and families, cousin Dennis Chisholm of Erin, Ontario and family, as well as all of his extended family and friends. The immense loss we all feel at this time is the cost of having been the family of this truly amazing man.

Darryl was an avid athlete, playing hockey and later football during his high-school years at NFCVI. He went on to have a successful career at Ontario Power Generation. Starting as an apprentice, he worked his way up to Trades Management Supervisor during his 30-year career. His strong work ethic, straightforward attitude, and natural leadership left a reputation that continued to carry his name long after his retirement.

Darryl was a true outdoorsman. The McGowan brothers owned cottages on Wolf Lake in Algonquin for many years. Darryl and Debbie raised their children and spent time with family and friends around this lake, teaching and giving them all memories that will stay in their hearts forever. They later purchased a rural property in Niagara Falls, and it was here Darryl spent his retirement. If you did not find him riding a tractor, he was found in his shop working on a project or sharing a drink and story with one of his many close friends.

Darryl had a passion for hunting and dog training his German Shorthaired Pointers. Whether during his annual deer hunt or a weekend bird hunt, he was always happy in a field or the bush. He was an active member of several dog clubs and participated in and judged dog trials for more than 30 years. In 2008, his dog Doc was crowned champion and achieved a perfect score at the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association Invitational.

“A man’s soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog.” This quote truly captures Darryl. Though he was rough and tough on the outside, he had a heart of gold. He cared deeply for everyone in his life and gave them all he had - especially to his closest companions, his beloved dogs.

In keeping with Darryl's wishes, cremation has taken place. A private burial will take place with his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) where Darryl was always a member.