John L. Rowe

John L. Rowe, 89, of Champlain, NY passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

He was born in Rumford, Maine, the son of Dr. William T. and Marion Littlefield Rowe. He graduated from Stephens High School, where he was a member of the student council, as well as the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He received an AB degree from Bowdoin College and did graduate work at the University of Vermont, SUNY Plattsburgh, Worcester Polytech, and the University of Mississippi. He received a Master of Science degree from the latter in 1970.

After graduating from Bowdoin, John joined Ayerst Labs as a technical supervisor in the Tablet department. In 1957, he joined the science faculty of Champlain Central School in Rouses Point and then continued at Northeastern Clinton Central School until his retirement in 1989. He started working for the U.S. Immigration Service in 1966 and retired after 35 years of service in 2001.

In Rouses Point, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as financial secretary. Under the auspices of the Knights, he also started the Columbian Squires Club, a youth organization. In Champlain, John served on the Town Youth Commission and as treasurer of the Champlain Memorial Library for 24 years. He was also a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point.

He and his wife of 59 years, Gerry, enjoyed frequent trips to Europe and the British Isles. His hobbies included fishing, swimming, gardening and chair caning. He was also an enthusiastic musician, playing the spoons, piano, and harmonica. An avid Red Sox fan, John finally had his dream fulfilled when the Sox won the World Series in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. He was also an avid NY Giants fan and happily saw them win the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2012, both times over the highly favored New England Patriots.

John is survived by sons Terry (Karla) of Champlain, NY, Scott (Kim) of Penfield, NY, daughters Lisa Casey (Robert) of Rouses Point, NY, Heather Casey (Joseph) of Rouses Point, NY, and Courtney of New York City, eight grandchildren – Michael, Roxanne, Skylar, and Keaton Rowe, Shannon and Erin Casey, Meghan Aldrich and Ryan Casey. Also, eight great grandchildren – Whitney, Vivienn, Gage, Carson, Brianne, Emmett, Silas and Evan, sister Sally of Williamsburg, VA, and a dear friend, Virginia Guay, of Rouses Point, NY.

He was predeceased by his parents, wife Gerry, brothers William and Linwood, sisters Catherine, Elizabeth and Barbara, son William Thomas, and grandson Matthew Rowe.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point, NY on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11am.

Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Champlain, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Glenwood Cemetery.

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