Gary Lee Bowers

Gary Lee Bowers, age 76, of Beechview, and formerly of Somerset County, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Beloved partner of 46 years to David Kerr. Loving brother of Patricia Swauger, Kay (Tim) Klonicki, and the late George (Virginia—still surviving) Swauger. Brother-in-law of Penny Pearson. Gary is survived by his nieces, Sesame Purbaugh, Mickey Joe Blair, Deeann Polakovsky, Erin O'Brien, and a nephew, Timothy Klonicki. He was preceded in death by his parents Abram and Freda (Steinley) Swauger.

Gary began his career in the fabric during the 1960s when he designed and made clothing for boutique shops in Pittsburgh, including Emphatics. Later that decade, he designed for a New York display company, where his creations were used by top retailers, including Bloomingdale's. After returning to Pittsburgh in the 1970s, Gary designed costumes for local musical groups. Then in the 1980s, he and his partner opened a shop in Oakland, PA where they sold unique gifts made by local artists and Gary's own hand-crafted creations, including children's clothing and his popular fabric macaws.

In the 1990s, he transitioned to designing and producing luxury window treatments, many of which hang like exquisite ballroom dresses. During his long career, he reproduced the valances and draperies for the Founders’ Room at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. His work hangs throughout the Duquesne Club. Gary also created window treatments for the offices of the US Secretary of the Treasury.

Gary and his partner David, traveled and hiked in remote places of the world, including traveling up the Amazon, hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, and traversed the Gobi Desert to reach dinosaur digs in Mongolia. During one memorable trip when they were trekking across Panama, they stayed with the Embera people. In later years, the two visited Paris, motored through the Scottish Highlands, wandered among the ruins of ancient Greece, and toured the historic architecture of Istanbul. Gary led a full life of his own making.

Friends received Wednesday, November 27th from 3-7 p.m. at BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL SERVICE, LTD., 2201 Bensonia Ave., Pgh, PA 15216. Burial will be held privately.

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