Lewiston, ME - Anthony (Tony) Dana Rowe exited this life on November 6th, 2019 with family at his side, following a stay at Central Maine Medical Center. Tony lived life to its fullest, escaping many near death experiences including his sisters’ creative plan to encourage him to play on a railroad track as a child, coming of age in the 60’s and 70’s, and an incident involving a broken outhouse door in Coos Canyon a few years back.
Loved ones who cleared the path for Tony were his parents, Sydney and Elinor Rowe. Loved ones missing Tony until they meet again are his wife Donna Rowe of 47 years; daughter Dana Rowe and her husband Jared Rowe of Waterboro, ME; daughter Sydney Rowe and her husband and son Clinton and Fisher Goni of Buffalo, WY; Tony’s sister Lynda Redman and her husband Kim Redman of Weld, ME. Tony is also survived by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. His love for his grandson was larger than life and he never left a phone call without saying, “Hug Fisher for me.”
Tony was born in Lewiston, ME in 1949. He graduated from Bridgton Academy and earned his Bachelors degree in Sociology from Springfield College. Tony moved to Rumford with his wife in the early 70’s where they ran The Rumford Lobster House and fine tuned the art of hypnotizing lobsters - yessah, you can do that! Eventually they purchased Rowe’s Afternoon Delite Restaurant in 1977 which Tony, Donna, and family (whether related by blood or not) successfully ran until the time of his death. Tony also moonlighted for years, working in social services at the Rumford Group Homes and Good Will . He spent many winters working at Mount Abram and Sunday River ski areas. His work ethic was next to none and spread to those around him.
Passion and discipline were clear traits of his. Animals of all kinds were amongst his passions. Tony traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, a love he shared with his children, wife, and other loved ones. He lived with a pure joy of life not often seen in adulthood. At times he giggled at things like “liberating items from LNF (lost and found)” and getting out of speeding tickets. He knew every back road in New England and painstakingly took his family methodically to each one many, many times; an experience greatly appreciated in his daughters’ adulthood. He loved non-traditional moose hunting - with cameras instead of guns, cribbage, the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, movies, sports, and music. Tony was a terrific loser, graceful in his losses; a horrible winner, relentless about competition.
In the days following his death many people who knew Tony reached out. Themes of the communication included: Tony’s “work ethic,” “he gave me a chance,” and “they (Donna and Tony) saved me.” Tony had “…a quick wit that he could deliver and take.” “Tony would give someone the shirt off his back just as fast as giving a wise comment.” Thank you for the sharing. It has brought great comfort to the family.
Tony’s sense of humor, perseverance, and wit were with him until the end, exhibited by his ability to get clearance from his medical staff to eat blueberry pie and drink a bottle of coke hours before his passing. Tony’s final resting place will be “Everywhere! I want a little bit of me everywhere!” A mobile memorial service is tentatively planned for summer of 2020 involving the scattering of Tony’s ashes to some of his favorite fishing holes, sites, and places he would have lived if he were a moose, in and around Rangeley, ME. A pool party and potluck will follow; all are welcome. There may not be any illegal fireworks in Tony’s absence but one never knows.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to River Valley Animal Advocates via mail to PO Box 628 Canton, ME 04221. An email account has been set up at [email protected] Please send any condolences, stories, and memories to be shared during the memorial and as a keepsake for the family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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