ROLAND K. ("ROLLY") BOWLER, 86 Rockford, Illinois – Rolly Bowler passed away
peacefully of natural causes at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, Illinois on
Sunday 6 June 2021. Born 17 February 1935 in Rockford, Illinois to William F. and
Ann M. (nee Marinelli) Bowler. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in
Rockford and studied aeronautical engineering and aviation management at the
University of Illinois before pursuing a lifelong career in aviation. His passion for
flying and fascination with airplanes began when he was a boy building and flying
models, a hobby he continued during much of his life. As a young pilot he worked
giving airplane rides at Machesney Field and as an instructor and commercial pilot
before being hired to fly for Anderson Brothers Manufacturing. He later worked
decades as a pilot and flight instructor for Eastern Airlines and most recently as the
principal of Elan Express, a flight operator for professional sports teams. He was a
member of the Quiet Birdmen. Rolly made a childhood dream his reality and inspired
others to do the same. He never worked a day in his life.
Rolly was very outgoing, seemed to know everyone everywhere and was quick to
lend a hand. He was a gentleman and loved cooking for and entertaining his family
and friends. He was a good storyteller, often of his many adventures. He also
enjoyed boating with friends in the Midwest and South Florida where he spent much
time living and working aboard his boat and getting to know transient boaters
provisioning at the marinas where he docked. He was a Colorado Rockies and
Chicago Bulls fan. Most of all Rolly loved his family. He was especially proud of his
four children and their families. Rolly was inseparable from his brother Gene,
spending much time together at Roma Bakery, flying and golfing, often with cousin
Tom, number one nephew John and his son. He will be missed dearly by family,
friends and colleagues the world over.
Born to eternal life, Rolly is reunited with his loving parents, sister Deloris R. (Robert)
Smith, and other relatives and friends that have gone before. He is survived by his
children, Roland K. (Min) Bowler II, Deborah J. (Paul) Nicolosi, Mary Angela (Frank)
Gambino, and Catherine A. (Marc) Gasparini; grandchildren, Brittany (Josue)
Almonaci, Christina (Adam) Admani, Ashley (Jake) Dickinson, Michael Gambino,
Sophia Nicolosi, Selina Bowler, Chase Bowler, Alexandra Nicolosi, Gianna Gambino,
Isabella Gasparini (Andrew Squires), Nicholas Gasparini, Sierra Bowler, Carson
Bowler, Theresa Gasparini and Ava Gasparini; great-grandchildren, Giada Gambino,
Lucia Almonaci, Elias Almonaci and Aria Admani; brother, William E. "Gene"
(Marilyn) Bowler; first cousins Thomas (Toni) Marinelli, Lydia (Maryann Mares)
Marinelli, and Carol Vettore; nieces, Elizabeth Bowler Himes (Michael Johnson) and
Susan Bowler, and nephew John Bowler; and many friends and extended family
members. Special thanks to the attentive staff at Serenity Hospice & Home, Swedish
American Hospital, and Fiona Drodrolagi.
peacefully of natural causes at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, Illinois on
Sunday 6 June 2021. Born 17 February 1935 in Rockford, Illinois to William F. and
Ann M. (nee Marinelli) Bowler. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in
Rockford and studied aeronautical engineering and aviation management at the
University of Illinois before pursuing a lifelong career in aviation. His passion for
flying and fascination with airplanes began when he was a boy building and flying
models, a hobby he continued during much of his life. As a young pilot he worked
giving airplane rides at Machesney Field and as an instructor and commercial pilot
before being hired to fly for Anderson Brothers Manufacturing. He later worked
decades as a pilot and flight instructor for Eastern Airlines and most recently as the
principal of Elan Express, a flight operator for professional sports teams. He was a
member of the Quiet Birdmen. Rolly made a childhood dream his reality and inspired
others to do the same. He never worked a day in his life.
Rolly was very outgoing, seemed to know everyone everywhere and was quick to
lend a hand. He was a gentleman and loved cooking for and entertaining his family
and friends. He was a good storyteller, often of his many adventures. He also
enjoyed boating with friends in the Midwest and South Florida where he spent much
time living and working aboard his boat and getting to know transient boaters
provisioning at the marinas where he docked. He was a Colorado Rockies and
Chicago Bulls fan. Most of all Rolly loved his family. He was especially proud of his
four children and their families. Rolly was inseparable from his brother Gene,
spending much time together at Roma Bakery, flying and golfing, often with cousin
Tom, number one nephew John and his son. He will be missed dearly by family,
friends and colleagues the world over.
Born to eternal life, Rolly is reunited with his loving parents, sister Deloris R. (Robert)
Smith, and other relatives and friends that have gone before. He is survived by his
children, Roland K. (Min) Bowler II, Deborah J. (Paul) Nicolosi, Mary Angela (Frank)
Gambino, and Catherine A. (Marc) Gasparini; grandchildren, Brittany (Josue)
Almonaci, Christina (Adam) Admani, Ashley (Jake) Dickinson, Michael Gambino,
Sophia Nicolosi, Selina Bowler, Chase Bowler, Alexandra Nicolosi, Gianna Gambino,
Isabella Gasparini (Andrew Squires), Nicholas Gasparini, Sierra Bowler, Carson
Bowler, Theresa Gasparini and Ava Gasparini; great-grandchildren, Giada Gambino,
Lucia Almonaci, Elias Almonaci and Aria Admani; brother, William E. "Gene"
(Marilyn) Bowler; first cousins Thomas (Toni) Marinelli, Lydia (Maryann Mares)
Marinelli, and Carol Vettore; nieces, Elizabeth Bowler Himes (Michael Johnson) and
Susan Bowler, and nephew John Bowler; and many friends and extended family
members. Special thanks to the attentive staff at Serenity Hospice & Home, Swedish
American Hospital, and Fiona Drodrolagi.
ROLAND K. ("ROLLY") BOWLER, 86 Rockford, Illinois – Rolly Bowler passed away
peacefully of natural causes at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, Illinois on
Sunday 6 June 2021. Born 17 February 1935 in Rockford, Illinois to William F. and
Ann M. (nee Marinelli) Bowler. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in
Rockford and studied aeronautical engineering and aviation management at the
University of Illinois before pursuing a lifelong career in aviation. His passion for
flying and fascination with airplanes began when he was a boy building and flying
models, a hobby he continued during much of his life. As a young pilot he worked
giving airplane rides at Machesney Field and as an instructor and commercial pilot
before being hired to fly for Anderson Brothers Manufacturing. He later worked
decades as a pilot and flight instructor for Eastern Airlines and most recently as the
principal of Elan Express, a flight operator for professional sports teams. He was a
member of the Quiet Birdmen. Rolly made a childhood dream his reality and inspired
others to do the same. He never worked a day in his life.
Rolly was very outgoing, seemed to know everyone everywhere and was quick to
lend a hand. He was a gentleman and loved cooking for and entertaining his family
and friends. He was a good storyteller, often of his many adventures. He also
enjoyed boating with friends in the Midwest and South Florida where he spent much
time living and working aboard his boat and getting to know transient boaters
provisioning at the marinas where he docked. He was a Colorado Rockies and
Chicago Bulls fan. Most of all Rolly loved his family. He was especially proud of his
four children and their families. Rolly was inseparable from his brother Gene,
spending much time together at Roma Bakery, flying and golfing, often with cousin
Tom, number one nephew John and his son. He will be missed dearly by family,
friends and colleagues the world over.
Born to eternal life, Rolly is reunited with his loving parents, sister Deloris R. (Robert)
Smith, and other relatives and friends that have gone before. He is survived by his
children, Roland K. (Min) Bowler II, Deborah J. (Paul) Nicolosi, Mary Angela (Frank)
Gambino, and Catherine A. (Marc) Gasparini; grandchildren, Brittany (Josue)
Almonaci, Christina (Adam) Admani, Ashley (Jake) Dickinson, Michael Gambino,
Sophia Nicolosi, Selina Bowler, Chase Bowler, Alexandra Nicolosi, Gianna Gambino,
Isabella Gasparini (Andrew Squires), Nicholas Gasparini, Sierra Bowler, Carson
Bowler, Theresa Gasparini and Ava Gasparini; great-grandchildren, Giada Gambino,
Lucia Almonaci, Elias Almonaci and Aria Admani; brother, William E. "Gene"
(Marilyn) Bowler; first cousins Thomas (Toni) Marinelli, Lydia (Maryann Mares)
Marinelli, and Carol Vettore; nieces, Elizabeth Bowler Himes (Michael Johnson) and
Susan Bowler, and nephew John Bowler; and many friends and extended family
members. Special thanks to the attentive staff at Serenity Hospice & Home, Swedish
American Hospital, and Fiona Drodrolagi.
peacefully of natural causes at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, Illinois on
Sunday 6 June 2021. Born 17 February 1935 in Rockford, Illinois to William F. and
Ann M. (nee Marinelli) Bowler. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in
Rockford and studied aeronautical engineering and aviation management at the
University of Illinois before pursuing a lifelong career in aviation. His passion for
flying and fascination with airplanes began when he was a boy building and flying
models, a hobby he continued during much of his life. As a young pilot he worked
giving airplane rides at Machesney Field and as an instructor and commercial pilot
before being hired to fly for Anderson Brothers Manufacturing. He later worked
decades as a pilot and flight instructor for Eastern Airlines and most recently as the
principal of Elan Express, a flight operator for professional sports teams. He was a
member of the Quiet Birdmen. Rolly made a childhood dream his reality and inspired
others to do the same. He never worked a day in his life.
Rolly was very outgoing, seemed to know everyone everywhere and was quick to
lend a hand. He was a gentleman and loved cooking for and entertaining his family
and friends. He was a good storyteller, often of his many adventures. He also
enjoyed boating with friends in the Midwest and South Florida where he spent much
time living and working aboard his boat and getting to know transient boaters
provisioning at the marinas where he docked. He was a Colorado Rockies and
Chicago Bulls fan. Most of all Rolly loved his family. He was especially proud of his
four children and their families. Rolly was inseparable from his brother Gene,
spending much time together at Roma Bakery, flying and golfing, often with cousin
Tom, number one nephew John and his son. He will be missed dearly by family,
friends and colleagues the world over.
Born to eternal life, Rolly is reunited with his loving parents, sister Deloris R. (Robert)
Smith, and other relatives and friends that have gone before. He is survived by his
children, Roland K. (Min) Bowler II, Deborah J. (Paul) Nicolosi, Mary Angela (Frank)
Gambino, and Catherine A. (Marc) Gasparini; grandchildren, Brittany (Josue)
Almonaci, Christina (Adam) Admani, Ashley (Jake) Dickinson, Michael Gambino,
Sophia Nicolosi, Selina Bowler, Chase Bowler, Alexandra Nicolosi, Gianna Gambino,
Isabella Gasparini (Andrew Squires), Nicholas Gasparini, Sierra Bowler, Carson
Bowler, Theresa Gasparini and Ava Gasparini; great-grandchildren, Giada Gambino,
Lucia Almonaci, Elias Almonaci and Aria Admani; brother, William E. "Gene"
(Marilyn) Bowler; first cousins Thomas (Toni) Marinelli, Lydia (Maryann Mares)
Marinelli, and Carol Vettore; nieces, Elizabeth Bowler Himes (Michael Johnson) and
Susan Bowler, and nephew John Bowler; and many friends and extended family
members. Special thanks to the attentive staff at Serenity Hospice & Home, Swedish
American Hospital, and Fiona Drodrolagi.
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