George "GB" Bowman

George Ralph “GB” Bowman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, was born on September 17, 1932, in Niagara Falls, Canada. George passed away at the age of 93 on November 16, 2025. George was the firstborn to parents Ralph Blaylock “Scotty” Bowman and Gertrude Alice (Massecar) Bowman.

George proudly served his country from 1951–1956 in the US Navy and is a veteran of the Korean War, commissioned to the USS Helena CA75 ship. The enemies nicknamed his ship “The Hell Ship” due to its massive guns.

Following GB’s military service, he became a partner of Fessler & Bowman Inc. in 1963, until his retirement in 2004. GB and his partner, Don Fessler, were instrumental in forging the way for F&B to become one of the top concrete contractors in the state of Michigan, and currently, F&B is now a Nationally ranked company.

During the last phase of his amazing career, he met his wife and best friend Carol Aldrich and were married for 35 years. Together, they enjoyed many rounds of golf on many different continents. GB was a charter member of Flushing Valley Golf & Country Club and a member of Country Club of Boyne for 31 years. Most of their friends will say he was an Icon of Boyne Mountain. In addition to his love of golf, he found time to travel the world with his wife, kids, and grandkids. GB’s other passion was downhill skiing, and he tackled some of the most difficult western mountains and continued skiing until age 84, always returning to Boyne Mountain, where he and Carol built three beautiful homes on the Monument golf course.

GB was a lifelong sports enthusiast and athlete, devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and MSU sports teams.

In GB’s rare spare time, he obtained his private pilot license and then excelled to receiving his instrument-rated license, allowing him to reach the stars at night.

Those who knew George would all agree that we lost a legend, leaving an indelible mark at every turn. If you were a friend of his…you were a friend for life.

George was a proud and loving father of three children, Dawn (Bruce) Horning, Kimberly Bowman, and George W. (Tracy) Bowman. George was also blessed with the love from Carol’s children and their husbands, stepdaughters, Suzanne (Scott) Grigas, Amanda (Greg) Helgemoe, and Jennifer Aldrich. GB was a loving hands-on grandfather to Danny Miko and Paul Wayne Horning, Natalie Bowman, Nicolas (Ava) Bowman, Harrison Bowman, Brianna (Blake) Mullennix, Egan and Hayden Helgemoe, Dylan (Jessica) Aldrich, and Jacob Aldrich.

George is survived by his brother, Garfield Robert Bowman (d. Theresa) and was a loving uncle to Michael Bowman, Brian (Monica) Bowman and Holly (Jody) Peterson. GB was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, and his oldest daughter, Dawn, along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who mostly resided in Canada.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2026 at the Country Club of Boyne.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:

PGA HOPE-Michigan https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/pga-hope-michigan

Newlife Anglican Church / Christian Scholarship Fund / PO Box 481 / Petosky, MI 49770

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