Family of 90-year-old man gets big funeral surprise

MADISON, Pa. — Ninety-year-old James Bower died of coronavirus. His family expected a small, quiet funeral service, but they got a big surprise instead.

Bagpipes echoed through Madison, Westmoreland County, with a firetruck draped in a black ribbon and a procession of nearly 30 cars showing up to honor Bower. He was a former mayor of Madison and a lifelong resident.

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“There’s just no words. I just literally and honestly don’t have words for it. I just felt so surprised by the outpouring of love, honor and respect. I thought ‘Wow, they really love my dad’," Bonnie Hoffer said.

She is Bower’s daughter.

Bower lived with his wife at Ligonier Gardens Retirement Center. He came down with COVID-19 about two weeks ago, but his family has optimistic.

“He was the healthiest 90-year-old you could imagine prior to getting sick. We really thought he had a good fighting chance because he was so healthy,” Hoffer said.

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He passed away Monday and his 85-year-old wife is still in quarantine, not allowed to go to the funeral. Bowers was a Navy veteran, and was honored with a 21-gun salute.

Bower’s daughter said she is grateful for all of the community support and never thought the coronavirus would touch her family.

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