D.C.

John Patrick Owens, who served on the Island between 1980 and 1982, died on November 18 of complications following vascular surgery.

Born in 1927, Mr. Owens received his B.A. in history from American University and an M.A. in history from Georgetown University.

He served in the US Navy during the Second World Two.

Joining the US State Department in 1955, Mr. Owens became a foreign service officer.

In the space of 27 years, he was assigned to posts in Italy, Venezuela, Greece, Scandinavia.

His last overseas posting was as Consul General in Bermuda.

After retirement in 1983, Mr. Owens worked as a consultant on US-Soviet nuclear issues.

He also contributed articles to foreign policy journals and was a member of various clubs and organisations, including DACOR (Diplomatic and Consular Officers Retired), the American Foreign Service Association, the Society for the Protection of Greek Heritage, St. Alban's Tennis Club and the Bermuda Coral Beach Club.

Close friend Peggy Sinclair, who spent many an afternoon on the tennis court with Mr. Owens while he was in Bermuda, said: "He was a very fine man and we had some really enjoyable times with him''.

She added: "When you're in the diplomatic corps, as he was, you're very lucky if you have time for personal friends. We consider ourselves lucky to have known him.'' Her husband, Andrew, who knew Mr. Owens since 1965 after they served together in Athens, Greece, described him as "an excellent representative of the US Government''.

Former Premier Sir John Swan, who took office towards the end of Mr. Owens' term and was also one of his neighbours at Grape Bay in Paget, said: "I'm greatly saddened by his death. He was a quiet man who served Bermuda and the United States extremely well.'' Mr. Owens is survived by his wife of 15 years, Aneta; his son Brian, of Stockholm, Sweden; two grandsons, Sean and Julian; his sister; Eileen Parker; and three bothers; Emmet, Dermot and James.

His younger son, Robert, was killed in Morocco while serving in the Peace Corps.

Mr. Owens was also the brother of the recently deceased Maryland House of Delegate member Joseph B. Owens.

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