Deacon Lester Joseph Peter Owens, a retired deacon of the Diocese, died Feb. 19 at age 88.
Funeral services will be held in St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro, beginning with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 in St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Feb. 25 at 11a.m.
Deacon Owens was born in 1936 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended St. Francis Prep High School followed by St. Francis College where he earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics.
In 1956, Lester married Loretta Jennings, and together they raised three children until her passing in 1971. Four years later in 1975 he married Agatha Barbara Owens and together they blended their families, creating a home for six children, then later welcoming their youngest daughter, Kelly.
Deacon Owens held a career in technology and defense, working with Systems Development Corporation on critical military projects, including SACCS (Strategic Air Command Control System) and ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare), among others, in collaboration with Bell Laboratories. He retired in 1998 as a systems engineer manager at AT&T, having contributed to some of the most sophisticated defense systems of his time.
He was ordained a deacon by Bishop John C. Reiss in 1994 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He ministered in St. Gabriel Parish where, in addition to his diaconate duties, was also active with the Fourth Degree Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Deacon Owens was predeceased by a son, grandson and granddaughter. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Agatha Barbara Owens and their children: Lester Owens III (Barbara), Angelene Turner (Freeman), James Thaxton (Benedicta), Mark Thaxton (Elena), Doreen Thaxton, Kelly Allen, and Angel Long (Edward); 24 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren
Entombment will be in St. Gabriel Cemetery and Mausoleum.