Thomas Patrick Rowe

Tom was born in Lowell, Massachusetts to Walter Edward Rowe Sr. and Dorothy Francis Rowe, and grew up in Lowell and Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1974 and later studied Information Technology at Lowell Technological Institute, which led to his profession in software development/engineering. Tom worked at several high-tech companies during his career, including many years at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he met his future wife Jayne Lahanas. In 1991, he and Jayne were married, and they began their lives together in a home in Townsend, Massachusetts. They welcomed their son Matthew in 1993, and in 1999 Tom moved his family to Harvard, Massachusetts, where he spent twenty-six happy years.

Tom is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Jayne (Lahanas) Rowe and his son Matthew Patrick Rowe, both of Harvard. He also leaves four nieces and nephews, several cousins, and many dear friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents Walter and Dorothy Rowe, his sister Thena (Rowe) Sireen, and his brother Walter Rowe Jr.

A lifelong antique car enthusiast, Tom loved restoring classic automobiles. He spent many years rebuilding his 1972 Corvette Stingray, his dream car. In addition to automobile body work, another of Tom’s passions was tinkering with engines, both large and small. One could often find him working in his garage, taking apart a lawnmower, tuning up a snowblower, or dismantling a power tool. Tom was a kind and gentle man and was always willing to help those who needed his mechanical skills. In his later years as his vision began to fail from his disease, Tom happily began passing his knowledge to his son, becoming his son’s mentor and teacher. There was nothing Tom was more proud of than his son, and working with Matthew on engine repairs gave Tom great joy.

Tom also loved spending the summer months in Maine at a family cottage on Bustins Island in Casco Bay. There he enjoyed walks around the island, or simply sitting in his favorite porch rocking chair, enjoying the peace and serenity of the ocean view and chatting with islanders who happened by. Tom also looked forward to family barbecues, rides in his son’s powerboat, and nightly card games and board games with his many island friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurology for the outstanding care they gave Tom over the past eleven years, and for their continued efforts through research to find a cure for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). They would also like to thank the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their kindness, care and compassion during Tom’s final days.

Memorial donations in Tom’s name may be made to the MGH CAA Research Program:

Checks payable to "Massachusetts General Hospital - Fund 028184", mail to:

Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, Attn: Kylie Baruffi, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston MA 02114-1101.

Or electronically via link:

https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate?caa-research=1&re_fund=028184&re_appeal=2111EMMGXXCA&is_designation=1&designation=Cerebral%20Amyloid%20Angiopathy%20Research

A celebration of Tom’s life will be scheduled at a future time.