Rudolph Hylvester Bowen

 Rudolph Hylvester Bowen was the third child of the late Arthur Cecil Bowen and Carol Violet (Bedford) Bowen.  Rudolph was born on Saturday, May 29th, 1943, in the parish of St. Thomas, Barbados West Indies. 

Rudolph affectionately known as Rudy, Blackie, King and Scragger began his early education at Buxton Primary School in Barbados. His father paid for him to obtain a trade as a mechanic apprentice.   After Rudolph expressed his unhappiness working with his employer, his father found him employment at the Central Foundry in Bridgetown.  He worked there until 1972 when he migrated to the United States of America.

As he loved cars and all things automotive, it was only natural that he would continue to learn about them.  While working two jobs he studied Auto Mechanics at ITT Technical Institute in Cambridge.  From there he received an Auto Mechanic Certificate.   Rudolph was a gifted mechanic.  Post-graduation he was recruited and hired by Columbia Pontiac-Toyota –GMC Co. Inc. where he worked for many years.  He was a celebrity in how own right, as he was depicted on the mural at Columbia Pontiac.  Rudolph loved his oil and grease and worked in many local mechanic shops and privately in his home garage. Close to retirement; he was employed by MassPort.

Rudolph was involved in the Boston-based Barbadian Community. He was one of the founding members of the Cavaliers Cricket Club and was a member of Middlesex Cricket Club where he played on the cricket and dominoes teams.  These memberships included many family trips in his customized conversion brown van to Connecticut, New York, and Canada where he participated in cricket matches and dominoes tournaments.

  On Friday, November 3rd, 2023 Rudolph lost his battle with Amyloidosis and thus ended his earthly life’s journey here with us.  In total Rudy fashion, he did it his way.  He died at home, surrounded by his family. 

Rudolph was a loving husband, a great father, grandfather, loyal brother, and friend.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Carmen Bowen, his daughters Sharon Jordan-Prioleau, Sabrena Worrell and Sean Jordan, his grandchildren Shana Worrell-Batson, Sydney Jordan, Neil Prioleau and Darrell Nichols, his great granddaughters Justice Fleurival, Arianne Batson, Kari  Nichols and his son-in-law Cornelius Prioleau.  Mourning in this loss are his siblings Victor Bedford and Keith Bowen of Barbados, Arna Foster of Canada, Trevor Bowen of Massachusetts, and Joyce Cadogan of Barbados.  A host of loving nieces, nephews, and extended family – too numerous to mention. 

Also sharing this bereavement are his friends and colleagues in Barbados, Boston and beyond.

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