John V.G. Bowlus "Vinnie" was born June 19, 1945 in Salem, New Jersey to David E. Bowlus and Louise Marie Greene Bowlus.

Vinnie’s childhood was spent in Far Hills, New Jersey, which was at that time a quiet, rural setting. He enjoyed wandering in the nearby woods, playing ice hockey on a local pond, and working at a farm across the road. The strong work ethic that he developed while working at the farm stayed with Vinnie for a lifetime.

Vinnie graduated in 1963 from St. Bernard’s School in nearby Gladstone, New Jersey. He was a good student and a passionate athlete, excelling in basketball, soccer, and baseball. His enthusiasm for sports was lifelong as he played in adult basketball leagues in his younger days and always faithfully followed NBA, MLB, and NHL teams.

Vinnie studied economics at Georgetown University, graduating in 1967. After college, Vinnie joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as the communications officer on LSTs. He so fondly remembered his Navy years and was full of Navy stories, always willing to have a chat with a former sailor. He earned the rank of Lieutenant before mustering out of the Navy in 1972.

He returned to school at Rutgers University, where he earned an M.B.A. He passed the Certified Public Accountant examination and joined the accounting firm Peat Marwick in New York City. Shortly thereafter, Vinnie transferred to their San Francisco office, thus beginning his new life as a Californian. Later he transferred to Price Waterhouse and moved to their Sacramento office. He continued his studies at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, earning a master’s degree in taxation. In 1977 he started his private practice specializing in tax. He took great pride in his work, from which he retired in 2021.

Upon retirement, Vinnie felt the pull to become a full-time resident of Maine, after spending 20 summers there enjoying hiking, kayaking, sailing, walking his terriers, and eating lobster. He and his wife, Anne, moved to Spruce Head, Maine in 2021.

As a young man, Vinnie got a thrill out of motorcycles and rock bands from the sixties and seventies. He was proud that he had seen the Beatles perform at Shea Stadium, attended a Simon and Garfunkel concert, and gone to a number of concerts at Fillmore East in New York City. Midlife brought to him a love of travel. He delighted in the adventures and delicious foods he would find along the way. And, as the years went by, his favorite spot was his chair, where he could look up from his book to gaze at a cove in Maine and the birds at his feeder.

Vinnie’s life was lived with warmth, kindness, and humor. He was always quick to help anyone in need, especially the underdog, and quick with a smile and a laugh. His dry humor was a joy to those who knew him. He faced his long illness with unbelievable courage and grace. He died at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine on September 24, 2025.

Vinnie is survived by his wife, Anne; and two children, John (wife Zeynep) of Istanbul, Turkey and Zoë (partner Hartwin) of Lawrence, Kansas. He also leaves behind his two grandchildren, Leyla and Luka; his sister, Catherine, along with her three children, Emily, Polly, and Clint; and his Cairn terrier, Mungo.

Memorial gifts in Vinnie’s memory may be made to the Jackson Memorial Library in Tenants Harbor, Maine; the Georges River Land Trust in Rockland, Maine; or the organization of your choice.

To share a memory or condolence with Vinnie’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland, Maine.