George Jeffrey Cowan, 66, of 5 Wadsworth St., Cortland passed away after a long illness April 11, 2007 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center. Mr. Cowan was born September 7, 1940 in New York City the son of the late George M. and June N. Schmeling Cowan.

    Mr. Cowan had been a resident of the area for the past 37 years. He grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island and graduated from Hempstead High School in 1958. He graduated from the College of Forestry at Syracuse University, now ESF in 1962. He continued his graduate work in Science Education at SUNY, Cortland.

    Mr. Cowan spent his life teaching others, first as a Science teacher at the Baldwin Harbor Junior High School on Long Island for seven years and then teaching Physics, Chemistry and other Sciences for the Homer Central Schools for 25 years. He was active in Boy Scouts as a scout, camp counselor and Assistant Scout Master for Troop 80 in Cortland for many years. His activities and hobbies were many. His passion was flying and he enjoyed Ham radio, hunting and fishing, mushroom picking, carpentry, and mechanical challenges of all kinds.

    Mr. Cowan is survived by his wife of 36 years Sandra Porter Cowan, and his beloved son Peter A. Cowan of Fremont, Calif., a nephew and three nieces.