Final Salute

Robert “Bob” Francis Cowley, 93, loving husband of Rosemarie “Rhoddy” Cowley passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Bob was born in New Haven on November 12, 1932, son of Henrietta “Hart” Rodican. Raised in New Haven where he met the love of his life, Rhoddy, the two settled in Manchester where they lived happily married together for over 68 years. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Seabee during the Korean War and later received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1959. He enjoyed a lengthy career in the insurance industry, but an even longer retirement where he pursued his love for tennis, photography, travel, happy hour and spending time with family, friends and neighbors. Bob is survived by Rhoddy, his son Robert “Rob” Cowley and his wife Karen of Old Saybrook, his daughter Elizabeth “Liz” Thornton and her husband Randy of Vernon, three grandchildren Cailin Cowley and her husband Greg, Anna Cowley, and Lexie Thornton, two sisters Linda Iannotti and Diane Harkness, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. Along with both parents he was predeceased by brothers-in-law Edward Tiernan, John “Jackie” Tiernan, Bill Harkness, and Frank Iannotti.

Family and friends are invited on Tuesday Oct. 6th at 12:30 for a period of visitation prior to the 2:00 Celebration of Life to be held in the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St. Manchester, CT. Entombment with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday Oct. 7th at 12 Noon in St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Ave., West Haven, CT. For full obituary and online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com
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