Wallace J. Owings

Wallace J. Owings, Sr. December 10, 1928 – June 12, 2020 (Age 91) On June 12, 2020, Wallace J. Owings, Sr. of Eldersburg passed away peacefully to join his beloved wife, Mary Regina. He was 91. Wallace (aka Wally, Big Wal, G-Dad) was born on December 10, 1928 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late John and Helen (nee Lauer) Owings. Wally is survived by his 8 loving children: Wallace J. Owings, Jr. (Frances) of Pasadena; Mary Teresa Yost (John) of Eldersburg; Donna Dowling (Michael) of Ellicott City; Linda Reymann (Francis) of Ellicott City; Michael Owings (Nancy) of Woodbine; Timothy Owings (Kathleen) of Eldersburg; Christopher Owings (Julie) of Catonsville; Maureen Conlon (Richard) of Easton. Wally is also survived by his 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: Lauren Hunt (Zac), (Lilly, Emma, Abigail); Sean Owings (Valerie), (Remy, Max); Jennifer Barkouki (Tammer), (Sami); Megan Brauner (Jordan), (Mira); Eric Owings, Christopher Reymann (Allison), (Kylie, Madison); Elizabeth Knight (Joshua), (Ella, Landon, Logan); Kelly Johnston (Ryan); Brian Dowling; David Reymann (Stephanie); Shannon Owings; Katie Owings; Meghan Owings; Nicole Sikora (Kevin); Timothy Owings; Stephen Owings; Shane Owings; Patrick Owings; Jacob Conlon; Aaron Owings; and Emily Conlon. Wally had many other beloved nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

Wally grew up in the Great Depression where he and his family struggled to make ends meet. At a young age, he combed the streets of Baltimore with his rusty wagon for discarded pieces of tin and glass bottles to help earn money for his mother and siblings (the late Raymond, Emma Leverton and Marie Kempske). From this humble beginning, Wally developed his intense work ethic which carried into his 40-year career at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point. Throughout his life, Wally practiced his Catholic faith not only by attending weekly mass but through sacrificial service to the church and its members. He was a member of the altar/stage crew at St. Joseph’s Monastery, was a long-standing member of St. Lawrence parish in Woodlawn, and most recently was a church elder at St. Joseph’s parish in Eldersburg. When he started a large family of his own with the love-of-his-life, “Jean”, Wally was an active participant in his children’s lives despite his grueling work schedule. He was president of the St. Lawrence home school association, president of the St. Lawrence Parish Council, and was Scout Master for Troop 666. He could be found in the bleachers routing for his children’s sporting teams. Wally balanced family life with his night shift work at the steel mill and in his one-man machine shop in their home’s basement. He spent many hours there fixing mechanical items and welding scrap metal into useful tools and household products.

When his grandchildren started to arrive, Wally embraced his sweet-tooth and provided them with a Sunday breakfast consisting of donuts (aka “buns”), chocolate milk and Tootsie Roll pops. The kids loved roaming the woods around the house and flying down the (very!) tall aluminum sliding board with wax paper. Aside from spending time with his family, Wally enjoyed hunting, fishing, crabbing and any other outdoor activity. He was known for his “G-Dad hugs” which took your breath away with their strength and passion. His favorite place on earth was a vacation home in Wingate, MD which he named “Family Point.” People always remark how Wally changed their lives for the better, even if they had just met him. He lived Mother Teresa’s ideology of “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” His motto was “Enjoy Life,” and he did that every single day.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 20 at 11 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 915 Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD 21784. Face coverings and physical distancing are required. There are several other ways to pay respects. The live mass will be streamed through YouTube: https://youtu.be/y_A48ymfFCM. In addition, audio messages may be recorded to share memories of Wally by calling 800-437-3009. Use Invitation Number 77989 when prompted. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Joseph Monastery Parish 251 S. Morley St., Baltimore, MD 21229.

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