James Edward McGowan

(EAST HAVEN, CT) - James Edward McGowan, 51 formerly of Portland, ME, died peacefully, while accompanied by his fiancé, Nancy Lombardi, at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT after a brief but exhausting battle with cancer.

Jimmy, as he was affectionately known by family and friends, was born and raised in Portland, Maine where he attended Portland Schools and became a graduate of Job Corps in Bangor, ME.  He made a home in East Haven where he resided with his fiancé Nancy and their dog Layla.

He was a leader in the environmental industry for over 30 years. He was most recently employed by ACV Enviro and NRC/US Ecology. Jimmy, or Hollywood as most colleagues know him as, began a career in the industrial services field in the late 1980's for Maine Coastal Services, Sawyer Environmental, and Phillip Services where he performed critical industrial maintenance services throughout Maine's pulp and paper industry, power plants, and nuclear plants throughout the Eastern US.  His career involving high pressure water-jet blasting and environmental cleanup, garnered him an expertise that was rivaled by few in his industry.  As his family and many coworkers state, "Hollywood was a leader in knowing what equipment was needed on a project and how to complete it safely in order to get a mill or a power plant back online to production.  Moreover, he was an industry leader in safely performing online boiler washes without the need to fully shut down production of those mills and powerplants. That saved millions for these companies daily."

Jimmy really enjoyed music cruises, golfing with his good friend Ryan Vescovi, traveling to the Bahamas, an occasional visit to casinos, and had a lifelong passion for attending metal music festivals throughout the US and Europe.

He was predeceased by his parents James L. and Patricia L. McGowan of Portland, ME.

He is survived by his fiancé Nancy Lombardi of East Haven, CT, five siblings, Carl Richard Varney of Lewiston, ME., Jody L. McGowan and his wife Diane of Standish, ME., Rowena Youngflesh and her husband Jonathan of Houston, TX., J. R. McGowan of Portland, ME., and Moira A. McGowan of South Berwick, ME., many nieces, nephews and much extended family throughout Maine.

Visiting hours to celebrate Jimmy's life will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 1-3pm at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home 660 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102.  Due to Covid19 concerns face masks are required. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jimmy's name can be directed to: The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

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