Jesse R. Bowers

Portsmouth, RI - Jesse R. Bowers, Sr., 88, of Aquidneck Place, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of 20 Memorial Boulevard, Newport, RI, died Monday, August 21, 2006. He was the husband of the late Mary L. Williams Bowers. Born in Jacksonville, FL on March 11, 1918, he was the son of the late Albren and Mary Louise Apaul Bowers Spence. Mr. Bowers attended Hampton University in Hampton, VA, and had a long career as a master chef at many local business; Christies, the Officers Club, the Viking Hotel, the Canfield House, the Treadway Hotel and the Shamrock. He retired from the Castle Hill Inn and Resorts. He was a Sea Scout leader of troop 1, a basketball coach at the Rec and other youth activities. He also played on many softball teams, and was also a member of the odd fellows club. Mr. Bowers served in World War II and received a battle star, Eame Theater Ribbon for his service in the French Campaign. He is survived by five children, Jesse R. Bowers, Jr. of Colorado, Mary Louise Hennessey of Newport, RI, Albren Arnie Bowers of Florida, Alma L. Hubbard of Colorado and Stephen L. Bowers of Newport, who was his caregiver. He also leaves ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Two of his grandsons lived in Newport Officer Sean P. Hennessey who left Newport to work for the Essex County Sheriffs Department in Massachusetts and John J. Hubbard who also moved to Massachusetts. His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2006, at 10:00am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2006 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm and Friday, August 25, 2006, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842.