The intersection of 12th and Monroe Streets NE was a crossroads of community pride as hundreds packed St. Anthony’s Catholic Church to bid farewell to Joseph “Joe” Bowser, who died on Aug. 3. A neighborhood leader, Bowser’s passion for the community rubbed off on his family, catapulting his daughter D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to continue his legacy of service.
“Joe Bowser was tough, he was bold, and he was uncompromising when it came to doing what’s right. And I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. Simply put, he was the best father and mentor a daughter could ask for,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement.
The three-hour service felt more like a specially called meeting of the North Michigan Park Civic Association or Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5 A, which Bowser led for more than three decades.
“You only needed to make it over the Ward 5 Border to run into Joe Bowser,” said former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. “Unlike a lot of other people Joe Bowser didn’t have his agenda… He wasn’t in it for a salary or a contract after the election. He was in it because he loved D.C., he loved politics and he knew to bring positive change to the community you had to get off the sidelines and get involved.”
Fenty, former District Mayor Vincent Gray, and former Councilmembers Vincent Orange, and Brandon Todd, all talked about how the late Bowser was serious and passionate about his work in politics.
“Unlike others who always joked and teased he was always no-nonsense and I liked that,” Fenty said.
There were also speakers from the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club, and the Archdiocese of Washington.
“When you look around the room you see people who have built up the city of God in the nation’s capital for generations,” said Monsignor Raymond East of St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church.
Virginia Ali, owner of the Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurants, spoke of Bowser’s legacy as she left the church.
“All of the people who were here today were here to pay tribute to this wonderful human being and his biggest job was to set an example for his daughter and his son and that’s why we have a mayor like we have today.” Ali told The Informer.
Joe Bowser: The ‘Family Man’
The late Bowser was born in Washington, DC on October 5, 1935. He joined the Army Reserves in 1952 and retired as a Sergeant First Class in 1995. He married Joan Bowser and the two purchased their only home in the mid 1960’s. Bowser worked in the DC Public School System for 44 years and he retired as a Facilities Manager.
The Bowsers, like many families in North Michigan Park, were proud and wanted what was best for their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his daughter Mercia. He is survived by his wife Joan and children Martin, Marvin, Mark, and Muriel, a sister Regina, six grandchildren and 10 great-grands, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Marvin Bowser had many names for his father.
“Sgt First Class, Army Reservist, senior citizen, basketball coach, proud Black man, Catholic, homeowner, photographer, CB Radio guy, networker, lover of people, native Washingtonian, family man, my father,” Marvin Bowser said of his late father.
During the service, Marvin Bowser reflected on the family gatherings down at Eagle Harbor Maryland, and family trips to California.
“I want to thank my mother and all of the care providers who took excellent care of my father as his body got weak but his mind remained clear. He always felt loved and cared for,” said Marvin Bowser.
Even though the mayor didn’t speak during the service, she issued a statement where she talked about what her father meant to her.
“For 52 years, my dad has been at my side — guiding me, cheering for me, loving me,” Mayor Bowser said. “He was the first person to take me to a community meeting. The first person to teach me that if something needs to be fixed, then step up and fix it — and finish any job you start. My first example of a public servant. The first person – along with my mom – to show me unconditional love.”
The late Bowser was wheeled out of St. Anthony as the choir sang “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” and uniformed D.C. firefighters saluted his flag-draped casket in the streets.
“There will never be another Joe Bowser,” the mayor said in a statement. “You will be missed.”