Obituary of Thomas J. Cowhig

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Thomas J. Cowhig passed on June 20th at Staten Island Hospital due to complications from a recent fall. Tom worked for 45 years as a United States Postal Carrier primarily in the Stapleton Post Office. He retired in March, 2001. Tom was a devout Catholic and volunteered at his local Parish, Saint Ann's. Thomas was born on May 13, 1933 in the West Brighton section of Staten Island. He graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1951 and in 1953 he enlisted in the Army where he served two years. Tom's sister, Agnes Cowhig-Bergin, introduced Tom to Barbara T. Flanagan, a co-worker at Western Electric in 1956. Tom and Barbara were married on May 23, 1959, in the Bronx, NY and soon settled in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. They eventually moved to Dongan Hills where they purchased a home and raised their six children. Tom loved following the local sports teams, going to Atlantic City and having a beer and pizza at Lee's Tavern with his family. Tom's wife Barbara preceded him in death on 11/28/21. Tom is survived by his son John Cowhig and wife Guiselle, daughter Mary Jo Mazza and husband John, son Michael Cowhig (his care-taker), daughter Barbara Jean Cowhig, and daughter Jennifer Nilsen whose husband Troy tragically preceded Tom in death on 9/11/2001. Tom is survived by six grandchildren, Michael, John, Scott, Ryan, Crystal, and Matthew and three great-grandchildren Frankie, Tahkem and James. Tom's oldest son Tommy preceded him in death on 6/14/2014. Tom is survived by his sister Agnes Cowhig-Bergin. His sisters Helen Rogers, Theresa DeBiase and Margaret O'Hare preceded him in death. Visitation will be Friday, June 23, at Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd. from 4-8 pm. Christian Mass will be Saturday, June 24, at St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills at 10 am. Interment at St. Peter's Cemetery.