BREWER - James E. Cowan, 81, husband of Helen M. (Graham) Cowan, died Friday, June 29, 2012, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born April 27, 1931, in Brewer, the son of James A. and Kathleen (Rooney) Cowan. Jim, as he was known to many, grew up in Brewer and was a 1949 graduate of Brewer High School and attended Ricker College, Houlton. After college, Jim returned home to work in the family business that was started in 1933 by his father, Albert. In the 1960s he took over ownership and operation of Cowan's Service Station. He opened the first fully automated self-service gas station in the state of Maine in 1970. Jim's helpful, trustworthy and friendly reputation was known and appreciated by many. Today, the almost 80 year-old business continues to be owned and operated by his son, Phil. He was a faithful communicant of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brewer, and a longtime member of Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, and Chowder and Broom Club. Surviving, in addition to his wife of 62 years, are his six children, Peter and his wife, Sharon, of Sedro Woolley, Wash., Timothy and his wife, Marguerite, of Brewer, Barbara Youngs and her husband, Scott, of Orrington, Phillip and his wife, Candace, of Eddington, Mark and his wife, Kimberly, of Pulaski, N.Y., and Rick and his wife, Dawn, of Orrington; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother, Kathleen, in 1965; his father, Albert, in 1973; and his only sister, Eileen Mauro of Baltimore, in April of this year. His family was the center of his life and he gave great support, guidance and encouragement to all. He had many friends from all walks of life and together we will all miss his caring nature and ready smile. The family thanks the caring staff of Stillwater Healthcare, New England Home Health Care and New Hope Hospice. The family also extends a special thank you to Dr. Vincent Michaud and nurse Kathleen Bates. Family and friends may visit 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 2, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. July 3 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 531 North Main St., Brewer, with a time of fellowship immediately afterward in the church center. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to any of the following: St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Fuel Fund, 207 York St., Bangor, ME 04401; Brewer Community Service Council, Fuel Fund, care of Mary Greaney, 290 Johnson Mill Road, Orrington, ME 04474; or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or www.diabetes.org. Condolences to his family may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.