Joe T.S. Cowen

Joe T. S. Cowen, 80, of Coal Center, owner of the Roscoe Ledger, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Nov. 22, 2010. Born in Roscoe on Aug. 20, 1930, he was the son of the late Floyd and Dora (Nicolotto) Cowen. Joe, a prominent business man, was on the board of Center in the Woods for whom he been a major supporter for many years. He was honored for his generosity and friendship by the Center in 2000 with an "Evening with Joe Dinner", at which time a Joe Cowen Endowment Foundation was established. More recently, he received a newly created Honorary Emeritus board membership. In 1996, Joe was honored with a special award presented by California University of PA for his numerous donations in printing service to the University and Alumni Association. Having a love of planes since childhood, he was known for his flying skills. He owned several single engine planes and, more recently, his twin engine "Baron". Joe was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Roscoe, and was a former member of the Charleroi Elks #494, American Legion Post 801, the Slovak Club, both in Roscoe, and Nemacolin Country Club, where he enjoyed many years of golfing. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his love of life, his generosity and kindness. Left to cherish many wonderful memories is his wife, Katherine; daughters, Laura Munson and husband, James, of Woodstock, NY, and Michelle Dillon Kunz and husband, Warren, of Edmonds, Wash.; grandchildren, Erik and Haley VanVlack; sisters-in-law, Martha Kozak and husband, Webb, of Scottsdale, AZ, Bernadette Hershman, of Scottsdale, AZ, and Betty O'Brien of Iowa City, Iowa; and niece and nephew, Peggy and Michael O'Brien. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret (Peggy) Helen Cowen, who passed away July 22, 1982. There will be no visitation and a memorial service will be held at a later date.