Herbert D. Mowry
7/8/2009


Herbert D. Mowry, 81

Dateline: Norton, MA




Herbert Daniel Mowry, 81, died on Wednesday July 8, 2009 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA.

Born February 9, 1928, in Norton, he was the son of the late Harold and Frances (McCarthy) Mowry. He served in the Army during the Korean War, stationed in Sasebo, Japan. During his time in the Army he learned the art of hand carving and tooling leather, at which he excelled. Over the years he made many beautiful and functional pieces of leather craft, including numerous original designs, and gave them to family and friends. Many of us still have belts, purses, guitar straps, wallets and more, a lasting legacy of his skill and generosity.

He married Bonnie Douglas in 1952 and raised a family in Mansfield. He worked for 17 years at Welsh’s Dairy in Foxboro, MA. Later he and Bonnie owned and operated the Village Music Studio in Mansfield for four years. Herb was an avid guitar picker and country/western and bluegrass music fan. For several years he was the leader of The Bluehill Junction, a local bluegrass band, and enjoyed entertaining both young and old audiences.

He married Diana Valequett in 1980 and spent 29 happy music- and activity-filled years with her in Mansfield and Norton. After his retirement from Sun Chemical Corporation in 1994, he picked up the hobby of scroll saw woodworking and amazed us with the intricate, detailed designs he produced for ornaments, desk clocks, display shelves and more.

In recent years, Herb was thrilled to be a part of the open mic night at Rick’s Music World in Raynham, MA. Having an opportunity to pick up his old guitar and start playing and singing again meant the world to him and rejuvenated his outlook on life. He both gave and received much joy and good humor at Rick’s, entertaining everyone with many of the tunes he loved from years gone by. He also wrote several original songs and put them to music, proving once again what a multi-talented man he was.

Herb is survived by his wife, Diana; son, Timothy and daughter-in-law Carla Richardson of Harrisville, NH; daughter Karen and son-in-law Gary Graziano of Groton, NY; son Douglas and daughter-in-law Michelle of Douglas, MA; and grandchildren Erin and Sean Mowry of Douglas, MA; and Lauren Caterson of Levittown, PA. He is also survived by his brother Harold “Mike” Mowry of Norton, and Mike’s five children and their families: Michael, Matthew (both of Norton, MA); Kenneth of Attleboro, MA; Diane, and Frances (both of Fall River, MA).
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday July 15th from 5-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.
A private memorial service will be held for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Rick’s Music Educational Scholarship Fund, c/o Rick’s Music World, 421 New State Highway, Raynham, MA 02767.
Cards and notes of condolences can be sent to Diana Mowry, 250 Mansfield Ave., #26, Norton, MA 02766. For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com

Sign
View Guest Book
Driving Directions
Print Page
Share
Norton Memorial Funeral Home
19 Clapp Street
Norton, MA USA 02766
508-285-4402