Wayne Bowser, a beloved husband, father, and Popi, left this world on March 18, 2026. Wayne was a proud Aquinas and Dayton Flyer graduate who enjoyed golfing, shooting pool, gardening, and The Yankees. He enjoyed telling stories and learning more about the people he meets. He rarely left an event without making a new friend. Working as CEO for Schlegel Corporation and DeCarolis Trucks, Wayne had a storied career full of world travels and hard-earned success.
His career success was only outshined by his devotion and friendship to his wife of 53 years, Kate. Together, they built a loving family of three children and three grandchildren. Even in his final days, Wayne was able to share his jovial spirit and zeal for life with his loved ones, friends, and anyone willing to share their time with him. Wayne will be forever missed and remembered by those who knew him.
He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Kathryn Bowser, in-laws Marie and Charles McBride, and brother-in-law Chuck Chiasson. He is survived by his wife, Kate, daughter Marie Bowser (Brad Gunkel) and Stacey (Michael) Snyder, son Michael (Jackie) Bowser, his three granddaughters, Ashlyn and Kathleen Snyder, and Meghan Bowser, his sisters Gail (James) Capellupo, Elaine Chiasson, and Barbara (Mike) Riley, his brothers-in-law Lawrence (Angel) McBride, Tim (Jeanie) McBride, Tom (Mai) McBride, his sister-in-law Mary (Steve) Gosnell, and his many loved nieces, nephews, and friends.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO THE ADVENT HOUSE AS THEY PROVIDED LOVING CARE IN WAYNE’S FINAL DAYS:
The Advent House
1010 MOSELY RD,
FAIRPORT NY 14450
Calling Hours Saturday March 28, 2026 9-9:45AM at Church of the Assumption where a Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 10AM
43 responses to “Bowser, Wayne G.”
Kate & family,
My condolences & prayers. Wayne & you all became dear friends in the last month. I was honored to share the Eucharist with Wayne a few times over the past month. I felt more inspired each time I left his room, then upon entering it. Wayne definitely knew what was important in life, faith, family, friends. I definitely witnessed he possessed an abundance of all three. Even so, my heart is broken.
Spending part of my birthday with him last week, was the past part of the day. God bless to all the Bowsers. Tony
I forgot this, exactly one month before Wayne died was Ash Wednesday, I was requested by COTA to distribute Ashes to Wayne. ✝️
“The Bowse” was a present we gave to ourselves at 1127 Dewey Avenue from 1964 – 1968.
He good man 🙋.
Sincere and heartfelt condolences to all whose life Wayne touched 🙏🙏🙏 Bob Zavaglia AQ 67
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences… to all whose life Wayne touched 🙏🙏🙏 Bob Zavaglia AQ67
My deepest condolences to the entire Bowser family. Wayne lived such a full and accomplished life, and so lucky to have had the family he had. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless our Aquinas Brother.
My condolences to Wayne’s family. Many fond memories of growing up and living just a few hoses from Wayne. Many pickup baseball games behind the Bowser home. I Renee Wayne pitching almost daily with his Dad in the AQ field. He was a very good pitcher and ball player. Although as we grew I would always run into Wayne a couple of times a year. A great friend. He will be missed. Your family is in our prayers. John and Karen Christman.
My sincere condolances to the Bowser family. Wayne was a favorite colleague and helped many traverse the corporate landscape through humor and determination. I am grateful that our paths intersected on life’s journey. The many fond memories Wayne has left us with will help to sustain us through the grief of this loss.
Boom boom, going out to pitchers mound again?
Wayne pitched 40&1 little league to one pitch away from little league World Series.
I can hear Harold yelling at us and loving all his players.
He tore his arm up shortly after but would go out there time and again.
Go in peace brother ⚾️
GREAT FRIEND, HUSBAND, FATHER, GOD FEARING CATHOLIC, AND A MAN WITH ATHLETIC SKILLS–WAYNE AND I WERE GOOD FRIENDS IN HIGHSCHOOL AND JOINTLY EXPERIENCED LIFE CHANGING MOMENTS AT AQUINAS–MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND FAMILY
GOD DEFINITELY GAVE US ALL A SPECIAL PERSON.
My deepest condolences to your family.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Bowser family. We all grew up together on Augustine Street and remember fondly our days at
Holy Rosary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tom, Margaret, Maureen, Mark and Lou Whalen, 309 Augustine Street
My sincere condolences to Kate and family. Wayne saw something in this wild city kid, pulling me through the ranks at Schlegel. From the warehouse, to Corporate Traffic Manager. After 23 years, I took a Logistics Manager position with another company and Wayne moved on to DeCarolis. Because he was in the Transportation industry, I was able to keep in touch. Without his guidance and support, I would never have found my niche.
RIP Wayne, I will never forget!
It was my pleasure to spend time with Wayne at the Advent House though it was sadly too short. I felt I had a special bond with him. I will always remember him as a spirited positive and Social gentlemen.
My best to you, Kate and your family.
Wayne was not only an Aquinas brother but we both graduated from the University of Dayton. We golfed together and I loved him. I pray for him and his family is in my thoughts and prayers. See you all at the funeral. Holmesey
It has been said that if you have one good friend through your whole life you are a lucky person……I was a very lucky person. I loved him like my brother, I will miss you Bows, we had a good run!
Condolences to Kate and family. Wayne was a wonderful guy, AQ 68 brother and friend. Will miss his sense of humor and great stories. God rest his soul.
We are heartbroken for you Kate and your family. Wayne loved you so much and I know he must have done everything in his power to stay with you. I truly believe that his spirit will be always there in your yard delighting in the deer munching the trees and in the twinkle of your granddaughters beautiful eyes. I wish we had known but I’ll come see you soon. Our sincere condolences.
My deepest sympathies over Wayne’s passing. He was a wonderful cousin and always had a kind word and a devilish grin. I enjoyed he and Kate visiting my home in Woodstock back a few years ago.. a bunch of cousins sharing old memories.
Rest in peace Wayne and know that you were truly loved by so many people.
Colleen
I firstt worked with Wayne in production planning for Schlegel. Great guy and a very good person to boot. Am saddened by his leaving us. My sincere condolences to the family as they find peace.
Our sincere condolences to Kate and her whole family as they find peace . Wayne is watching over all of them from heaven 🙏🏼
Sorry you are gone. A great neighbor and a truly good man. He will be missed.
My condolences to Wayne’s family. I knew Wayne from Aquinas, same class and from his days at Schlegel and Decarolis, we were both in the transportation industry, Always remember him as a very nice person.
May Wayne rest in peace. Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them. Condolences to the Bowser family who were great neighbors on Augustine St. I was part of the Sykes, Heinrich, Kanada, Caves clan at 377 Augustine St. I attended Holy Rosary School (class of ’64) with Wayne. Remember the whole family as loving and
caring.
God Bless Wayne, Kate, FAMILY and the many friends whose hearts God allowed to share life and death with Wayne.always remember with a HUGE smile.and the Bow’s smirk!
Wayne … Nice Run … although in our adult years, we crossed paths rarely.
We have a great time in growing up on Augustine and at A Q.
Congratz on a Great Life, Fantastic Career and a Fabulous Family.
R I P my friend. You earned it.
God Bless to Kate and the Family.
My heartfelt condolences to Kate and all the Bowser family for the loss of Wayne. He helped provide me many opportunities for learning and progress at Schlegel for many years. My thanks to Wayne and he is always in my heart.
What a beautiful man, leaving his huge footprint in so many lives. Rest in peace, my cousin. Hugs to all
Wayne was a wonderful man, great delight to be around. He touched my heart and Im glad our paths crossed. Sending love to Kate and family.
Heartfelt condolences to Katie & family . I remembering the good times we had growing up in the Maplewood Neighborhood. Grammar School at Holy Rosary School,dances at AQ,football games & Proms. Wayne was a great friend. Sending love & prayers.
I’m sad to hear of Wayne’s passing. I have very fond memories of growing up next door to them on Alameda St. such a nice man and great family. My condolences to Katie and family.
I’d like to extend my condolences to Wayne’s family and friends. I worked with him at Schlegel and remember that time fondly. He was an strong, decisive, fair leader.
Dear Kate and your family,
We are so very sorry for your great loss. For the short time we knew Wayne from Assumption, we could see the love and devotion the two of you had for each other. We are presently away but will see you when we return. Know you are in our prayers as we continue to pray for Wayne and you. He will always be with you, and you will feel his presence. Janice and Chet
Thank you everyone for your kind words and shared memories of Wayne. Our family appreciates the pouring out of love, prayers, and support. It’s such a testament to the most wonderful husband, father and friend. Our lives are forever changed.
Kate, if we keep our ears & eyes open to God’s Word, & trust he will reward us. That’s how I feel know, after I received request to share Holy Eucharist & Lenten Ashes with Wayne & you I was blessed with fellow disciples on the journey to heaven, Wayne a bit further along. Wow,his faith in God & love for his family shone so brightly. The best peace my friend.
“.You will receive abundance for your giving. The more you give, the more you will have!”
— W. Clement Stone
A great friend. We shared many great times from our days attending & working at Holy Rosary School, playing football & walking to Aquinas Institute, competing in Little League Baseball
and just joking with one another.
He will be missed.
It has been an honor to serve wayne as his plumber. It’s sad to hear of his passing. I very much enjoyed spending time with him during service calls. What a wealth of wisdom that man had. Unfortunately I’ll be out of town for the services. I’m grateful for knowing him and wish the best for the family during this time of loss.
ST. Peter’s Kitchen is deeply saddened by the loss of Wayne. He was such a blessing and was committed to the mission of community, nourishment, and hope. We are praying for the family during this time of grieving.
Wayne was such a great guy. He was always nice to me and others. He had a great smile. Prayers going out to his wife and family. Dave Powers A.Q. 68
🙏🙏❤️❤️🙏🙏
It was such a pleasure to meet Wayne and his wonderful family. God bleass
Thinking of you, Wayne, Kate and family as Wayne’s funeral mass is being held. So sorry, new knee replacement keeps me from being there. Saying prayers for Wayne and for you, Kate.
Mary Veremeychik
Playing ping pong and shooting pool in the Bowser basement on Augustine… baseball practice behind the house on the Aquinas property- “Bowser Diamond”. The tournament in New Bedford MA (hi, Dennis!). Great times. Sorry our kids didn’t meet. Looks like a full life! Well done, Wayne!