Norm McGowan
Glen Williams mourning loss of longtime mailman Norm McGowanFor over four decades, he was a familiar face in the Glen - delivering not just letters, but warmth, kindness and dog treats
Jun 23, 2025
When Glen Williams postman Norm McGowan was bitten by some dogs along his route many years ago, a friend suggested he should start carrying treats with him.He took the advice and soon became popular with local canines and their owners.
“Every dog along his route knew when he was coming,” the late McGowan’s niece, Vera Longstreet, joked.
“He must have gone through a hundred dog biscuits a day, I think,” friend and fellow Glen resident Colin Hoare said.
On Tuesday, June 17, McGowan died while surrounded by family and friends.
He was in every way a small-town man who took pride in his local community. He often resembled the kindly small-town civil servant seen on television series like The Andy Griffith Show.
“We knew him because of his daily route,” Hoare recalled. “He was popular because of the way he interacted with all the residents in the Glen.”
Some remember him as quiet, while others describe him as self-effacing. He loved his job as a mail carrier with Canada Post. Come hell or high water, he made his rounds like clockwork, earning a reputation for reliability within the community.
All who knew him agree that he was kind and thoughtful, often going above and beyond for the people on his route.
“He was always buying bouquets of flowers for some of his customers who weren't feeling well,” Longstreet said, making him a well-known fixture at Georgetown’s Vanderburgh Flowers.
“He knew we had two [dogs], so he would come with two dog biscuits,” Hoare reminisced.
Such dedication did not go unnoticed and many in the community ensured that his service to the community was recognized. When local media announced his retirement in 2011, after delivering mail in the community for 41 years, his neighbours threw him a party at the Glen Williams Town Hall.
He was also named a Citizen of the Year during one Canada Day.
Many may not know that the Toronto-born, Glen-raised, Leafs fan enjoyed model trains.
“He had quite an elaborate train system set up in his basement,” his niece said. “It had two full tracks set up on [the table] and he built all the scenery, tunnels, bridges and he had five or six engines that he used to run on it.”
His family is planning a memorial service at Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. The graveside service will be followed by a reception at Jones Funeral Home (11582 Trafalgar Rd.).
Jun 23, 2025
When Glen Williams postman Norm McGowan was bitten by some dogs along his route many years ago, a friend suggested he should start carrying treats with him.He took the advice and soon became popular with local canines and their owners.
“Every dog along his route knew when he was coming,” the late McGowan’s niece, Vera Longstreet, joked.
“He must have gone through a hundred dog biscuits a day, I think,” friend and fellow Glen resident Colin Hoare said.
On Tuesday, June 17, McGowan died while surrounded by family and friends.
He was in every way a small-town man who took pride in his local community. He often resembled the kindly small-town civil servant seen on television series like The Andy Griffith Show.
“We knew him because of his daily route,” Hoare recalled. “He was popular because of the way he interacted with all the residents in the Glen.”
Some remember him as quiet, while others describe him as self-effacing. He loved his job as a mail carrier with Canada Post. Come hell or high water, he made his rounds like clockwork, earning a reputation for reliability within the community.
All who knew him agree that he was kind and thoughtful, often going above and beyond for the people on his route.
“He was always buying bouquets of flowers for some of his customers who weren't feeling well,” Longstreet said, making him a well-known fixture at Georgetown’s Vanderburgh Flowers.
“He knew we had two [dogs], so he would come with two dog biscuits,” Hoare reminisced.
Such dedication did not go unnoticed and many in the community ensured that his service to the community was recognized. When local media announced his retirement in 2011, after delivering mail in the community for 41 years, his neighbours threw him a party at the Glen Williams Town Hall.
He was also named a Citizen of the Year during one Canada Day.
Many may not know that the Toronto-born, Glen-raised, Leafs fan enjoyed model trains.
“He had quite an elaborate train system set up in his basement,” his niece said. “It had two full tracks set up on [the table] and he built all the scenery, tunnels, bridges and he had five or six engines that he used to run on it.”
His family is planning a memorial service at Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. The graveside service will be followed by a reception at Jones Funeral Home (11582 Trafalgar Rd.).