Morgan Bowman Shipley, Decorated World War II Veteran

Morgan Bowman Shipley Jr. of Vero Beach, Fla. and Oak Bluffs died peacefully on Jan. 10. He was 94.

He was born to the late Morgan Bowman Shipley Sr. and Anna Marie Shipley on Dec. 27, 1922 in Brownsville, Pa. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with honors in 1947 after serving for 18 months as Army Captain of the Blood and Fire 63rd D Infantry Division in the Central Europe and Rhineland Campaign during World War II in France, Germany, and Belgium. He received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with clusters for heroism, and two Battle Stars. His 254th regiment received a unit citation for outstanding performance, cutting off Colmar from the Rhine in one of the hardest and bloodiest campaigns of the war. He was a member of the greatest generation.

Bowman married the late Jean Mildred Winter of Miami, Fla. in 1947 and they resided in Uniontown, Pa. Bowman was the chief executive officer and president of the family owned and operated trucking company Atlantic Freight Lines in Uniontown until its sale in 1960. He became the executive vice president of Cooper-Jarret Freight Lines and resided with his family in Short Hills, N.J.. After retiring from the trucking industry he obtained his commercial real estate license and sold properties in northeast New Jersey.

While living in Short Hills, Bow was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Chapter. He was an active alumni member in his Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Shipleys of Maryland Ancestry Organization. He and his wife were members of the Rock Spring country club in West Orange, N.J. and continued his love of golf, paddle tennis, and bridge.

In 1982, the Shipleys built a vacation home at Waterview Farm and were charter members of the Farm Neck Golf Club. Bow was president of the Water View Farm homeowners association for several years. He became an avid tennis player and enjoyed boating with his grandchildren on Sengekontacket Pond.

In 1987 they became snow birds when they sold their house in New Jersey, splitting their time between the Vineyard and Vero Beach, Fla. They built their home in the Seagrove Community in Florida and Bow was active in the Holy Cross church and the Vero Beach Country Club. Bow and Jean celebrated 62 years of marriage on August 19, 2007.

Bowman moved into Regency Park Vero Beach in April 2010, where he resided until his death. He was board president for several years and enjoyed many new friendships as an enthusiastic member of daily exercise classes and various activities.

He was predeceased by his sister, Anna Louise Shipley, in 1958; his wife, Jean Winter Shipley, in 2009; and his daughter Sally Ann Shipley of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Downey, of Stroudsburg, Pa; his grandchildren, James Russell Downey 3rd. of Philadelphia, Pa., Jeffrey Morgan Downey of Pottstown, Pa., and Jennifer Winter Downey of Bethlehem, Pa.; his great-granddaughter Maeve Downey; and his great-grandson, Gabriel Bowman Downey.

A memorial mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church will be held in the spring with a reception following. Details will be provided at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Glaucoma Foundation, 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700, New York, N.Y. 10038, or glaucomafoundation.org.

Ed & Judy O'Melia, Next Door Waterview Farm

Great pal, great person, great neighbor. Loved starting his jeep every spring along with the bowel of ice to welcome Bow & Jean back to the. vineyard. We had the great laughs together. Our prayers are with his strong family which Bow loved so much. Ed & Judy

January 19, 2017 - 7:18pm

Sue Downey, Vero Beach, Florida.

Thanks Judy and Ed!!!! You were their BEST neighbors. So many fun dinners together. Those were the days my friend we thought they'd never end!!! Great man, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. I'm in Florida settling things. It's a long life full of happy memories. Hope all is well with your family. Love, Sue.

January 20, 2017 - 3:45pm

Shelagh Ruane, Southport, North Carolina

Sue, our parents were the best of friends in Uniontown. You parents were so kind and generous and fun! I am sorry for your loss. Shelagh Ruane (Jim and Terry Ruane)

January 23, 2017 - 12:25pm

Sue Downey, Stroudsburg, PA

Hi Shelagh! Of course I remember your parents, Terry and Jim. They were dear friends of Bow and Jean's. That whole group of Uniontown buddies had more fun and laughs then anybody, and I remember all of them. My mother had so many friends and she was always planning a social event or RSVP'ing to one. They stayed in contact with all their Uniontown friends even after they moved to NJ and then Florida. They invited many to vacation at the home they built on Martha's Vineyard. Jean and Bow had a big 50th anniversary party at the Uniontown Country Club in 1997. I don't know if your parents were there because there were so many people that night. Young Terry was a jewelry designer as I recall. I think she may have worked for Tiffany for a while. My memories a little fuzzy on this. But, I still have the most gorgeous silver flower shaped earrings that she designed. She and my mother had become good friends. My parents were lots of fun and very loving and kind. Eight years ago my mother died. And six years ago my sister, Sally, died of a rare lung disease. She was only 58. It was a very hard blow for our family. My dad kept us going with his strong faith. Even in the end when he was almost blind from glaucoma. My three kids were all very close to their grandparents and aunt. They are sorely missed. I'm so glad to hear from you. Please keep me updated on your family. I'm going back to Florida May 2, for the memorial mass and reception with my children. My email is suzi101@verizon.net. Thanks for your kind words. Love, Sue

February 19, 2017 - 7:11pm

Joan Carr, Dallas, TX

Long ago and far away, our parents were friends in Uniontown....a time we all wish we could bring back. Hope you are doing well and laughing as you tie up everything and find long forgotten "stuff." Your father's obituary will be starting many a conversation among your parents' old friends - know there are many smiles and prayers for you and your family. Joan Carr (Kay & Phil)

January 23, 2017 - 3:25pm

Susan Downey, Stroudsburg, Pa.

Hi Joan! Thank you for your kind words about Bow and Jean. The Uniontown days were filled with friends galore. I remember your parents and so many others from the Uniontown Country Club. That was a special, magical, time to grow up and be a part of that small town full of brilliant men and gorgeous wives who were living the American Dream. I especially remember learning to ski at Seven Springs and dances at the country club and summer days at the pool while the mom's talked and the dad's golfed. They remained friends even after they moved away. There aren't many left of the old gang. I called Ann Sprowl's to tell her about Bow. Then she told me that Paul had died last November. I lost my sister, Sally, 6 years ago of a rare lung disease so it's sad being the one left. My 3 children were so close to my parents and their Aunt and they've been great to me. We'll be in Vero Beach, Fl. for a memorial mass and reception on May 2. Hope you and your family are well. You can reach me by email suzi101@verizon.net Love, Sue

February 19, 2017 - 7:23pm

Mike Shipley, Moberly, Mo

Sorry for your loss, I spoke with Uncle Bow many years ago when trying to reconnect with the family. He was very kind and gracious to me. I'm sure you have many happy memories with family and friends. Again, I was sorry to read of his passing.

January 23, 2017 - 4:48pm

Susan Downey , Stroudsburg, PA

Thank you for your kind words, Mike. Bow was a very gracious and kind man. He was almost blind from glaucoma when he died, but he was such a strong, proud, man that he gave me great inspiration to never give up. He will be missed, along with my mom, Jean, and sister, Sally. The very best to you and your family.

February 19, 2017 - 7:29pm

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Morgan Bowman Shipley, Decorated World War II Veteran

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