Ernest C. Bowen, 89, of North Haven, passed away peacefully Monday, July 20, 2015 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Agnes E. (Femniak) Bowen for 69 years. Born in Georgia in May 1926 to the late Austin and Flonnie (Edmondson) Bowen, he moved to Hamden when he was 4, where he attended school with his three sisters and one brother.

He is survived by five daughters; Patricia Proto (Frank), Christine Owen (Herbert), Kathleen Bowen (Victor Eng) Diana Ruggiero (Albert) and Jean Costa (John). He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy during World War II where he was awarded the American Theatre Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Victory Medal, and the European African Middle-Eastern Medal. A lifelong carpenter, his girls grew up to the pleasant smell of sawdust and the buzz of a saw. Nothing made his children smile more than when he got up to dance where he would “cut the rug.” He loved to say, “there are my girls.”

He is survived by six grandchildren: Deloris (Eric) Radziunas, Richard (Cathy) Proto, Virginia (Donald) Ham, Regina (Matthew) Ernest, Raymond and Michael Costa and three great-grandchildren: Brittany and Hayley Ernest and Anthony Radziunas. In addition to his children and grandchildren he leaves his sisters: Lula Mae Bogue, of North Branford and Virginia Boucher of FL. He was pre-deceased by his sisters Leila Smith and Austine Lasher and his brother William Bowen. He leaves several nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends are invited to meet directly at the office of All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven Friday morning at 11:00 and follow in procession to the graveside for a funeral service with full military honors. There will be no visiting hours. The North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue has been entrusted with the arrangements.