Joseph J. Bowman

For as long as his family can remember, Joe Bowman wanted to die in the jaws of a great white shark. Fortunately, that did not happen. On April 9, 2025 he spent the morning with his wife and then peacefully went home to God. He was 86 years old. Joe Bow was the cherished husband of Jo Anne for 57 years; the proud dad of “The Bowman Girls” Eileen Bedara (Mark, dec.), Nancy Jo Bachrach (Burt), Suzie McHale, and Katie Hansen (Lew); the most fun Bow Pop/Poppy/Bopey to Patrick, Brendan, Aidan, Jimmy, Joey, Kevin, Maddie, Emily, Lilly, Sadie and Emmet; String Band Daddy to the men of the Quaker City String Band; the Mayor of Banana City; and Santa Claus to countless children and adults for many years. He is predeceased by several family members and friends, and there is no doubt his welcome to heaven party was one for the ages, filled with Miller Lites, crabs, stinky cheese, roni, warm Italian rolls and jing!

Bow Bow was born and raised in South Philly, the youngest of Sally and Elmer's four boys. He graduated from Bishop Neumann High School in 1957 and went to work as a truck driver for Pepsi. He joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1962, but first served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. Officer Bowman retired from the PPD Marine Unit in 1988 and then worked in maintenance at Holy Family College until 2006. His childhood antics with brothers Bunny, Al and Weber and his time “in the business” provided for countless stories and endless laughs. If you knew Joe, you know he was always good for a story, even if it was partially Bowmanized. 

He married Jo Anne on October 14, 1967 and together they raised four grateful daughters who have the privilege of writing his obituary. Dude was an amazing dad, making up crazy words and songs, playing Hoonie Goonies, and somehow managing to secure a giant pickle barrel for putting the neighborhood kids in and rolling them down the hill in front of the house. Thankfully, he and Jo Anne passed their incredible senses of humor on to their girls. Bow Pop was absolutely giddy when he became a grandfather and loved being Poppy/Bopey to his 11 grandchildren. 

Bow Bow was a member of the Quaker City String Band for 64 years, a banjo player for most of them. He loved spending time and traveling with his string band family. As Quaker City’s second ever Santa Claus, S.C. II was always good for a banjo singalong and questionable shenanigans. His impact may best be summed up by what one close string band friend said when learning of his passing: “I can’t stop crying after a lifetime of laughter.” Joe will be deeply missed by all who knew him but we are all grateful for the many memories of his larger-than-life personality that will live on. Until we meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in St. David Roman Catholic Church, 316 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 and to attend his Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. His Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or HERE

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