Douglas J. McCowan of Melrose died on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 65 years old. Born on June 23, 1944 in Montreal, Canada, his family settled in Malden when he was 8 years old. He was raised in Malden and a 1962 graduate of Malden High School. Mr. McCowan enlisted in the United States Navy and served proudly during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked as a letter carrier with the United States Post Office for 42 years and earned an Associate's Degree from Newbury Junior College of Boston. For over 25 of those years, his route consisted of the Bellevue Golf Course Area here in Melrose. Doug loved his wife, kids, grandkids and his job. He umpired Men's & Women's Softball in the Melrose & Wakefield area for over 20 years, was a member of the Mt. Hood Golf Course Community, the VFW Sgt. Harold O'Young Post 2394 and the NALC Letter Carrier's Union. Doug enjoyed golf, Dunkin Donuts and being on time. He was the devoted husband of Sandra L. (Himmelwright) McCowan, with whom they shared 44 years of marriage. He was the loving father of David J. McCowan & his wife Susan of Scituate, Jeffrey P. McCowan & his wife Andrea of Danvers, Karin G. Torres & her husband Frederic of Stow & James D. McCowan of Melrose. Loving son of Elsie (Bentley) McCowan & the late Roland McCowan. Cherished grandfather of Kelly, Sarah, Anna, Meghan, Macie, Marie, Emma, Alice & Lea. Caring brother of Kenneth McCowan & his wife Agnes of Wilmington. Uncle of Kenneth, Todd & Kristin. Funeral service in the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Wednesday, May 26th at 11:30AM. Father William Coughlin, Pastor of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Wakefield will officiate the service. Visiting hours Tuesday in the Gately Funeral Home from 4-8PM. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody with Military Honors. Arrangements by The Gately Funeral Home of Melrose. Memorial contributions in Doug's memory may be made to the Down Syndrome Program, Children's Hospital 300 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02115. To View memorial video from May 26th to June 9th please copy the link below and paste it into your browser/address bar and hit enter. http://web.mac.com/kcuhc/Gately16/DMcCowan.html