Richard Conrado Bowen

Richard Roderick Conrado Bowen, age 71, of Ray Brook, NY died Sunday, July 02, 2017 at C.V.P.H Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Born in Columbus, Ohio on March 12, 1946, he was the son of William and Joyce Ann (Jennings) Bowen.

Rick attended 16 different schools all over the world and graduated from Bexley High School at the age of 17. He later attended Marion Technical College where he earned his associates degree. He then went on to attend and graduate from Ohio State University. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1971 serving in the Special Unit Division during the Vietnam War.

At the age of 30, Rick located his biological father and began rebuilding a relationship with his family.

Rick worked in telecommunications for many years including Ohio Bell, Columbus, OH, Bell South, Savannah, GA, and New England Telephone, Randolph, VT. He started the first private pay phone company, Communications Central, from 1986-1989 and then 1989 to present owned and operated Ca-Pro Associates Inc. in Ray Brook, NY. He semi-retired in 2008 but continued to be a consultant engineer and very active in the business. He was always available to assist or answer questions for the guys working for the company. Rick loved to cook and entertain family and friends. He enjoyed boating/sailing, camping, hiking, fishing, time with family and his grandchildren. He loved to attend football games, his grandchildren's sports games, and tractor pulls. His dogs Theodore and Ruben were his world. He loved to tell stories and everyone loved to listen to them. He also loved to teach. If you wanted to learn, he was willing to teach you. He especially loved riding his Harley and traveling to Tennessee. He built two homes and an office/workshop/garage and most recently was building a BBQ restaurant with his son Jeremy. He was always available to help friends and family at the drop of a hat.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Nott DeGrasse Bowen of Ray Brook, NY whom he married August 18, 1990, two daughters Kristina (Michael) Leary of Atlanta, GA and Danielle Elaine Bowen of Savannah, GA, two step sons Jeffrey S.(Kimberly) DeGrasse of Sunapee, NH and Jeremy M. DeGrasse of Ray Brook, NY, one sister Diane (William) Robbins of Savannah, GA and one foster Sister Cathy Conrado of OH , six step Grand children Jeffrey A.R. DeGrasse of Hartford, VT, Jonica Stephann DeGrasse of Hartford, VT, Sarah DeGrasse of Lebanon, NH, Emma DeGrasse of Lebanon, NH, Emily Courtemanche of Plainfield, NH, and Christopher Courtemanche of Plainfield, NH and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one brother-in-law Raymond S. Nott of Canaan,Vt , two sister-in-law’s Barbara Nott Pugh of Woodsville, NH and Judy Marie Nott of Hartford, VT, and his beloved dogs Theodore and Ruben. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law Steven F. Nott of Norwich, VT and foster parents William and May Conrado of Columbus, OH.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A funeral service will immediately follow at 3:00 PM at the funeral home.

Friends wishing to remember Richard may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.