William Boyd Lowe

ESSEX -- William Boyd Lowe of Ivoryton, a retired systems analyst and consultant for Hartford insurance companies for more than 40 years, died on July 23, 2015, in a tragic motor vehicle crash in Westbrook.

He was 72.

Lowe worked for more than 40 years at Cigna and Aetna. He spent most of his career as a business and systems analyst at Aetna.

It was while working at Aetna that he met his future wife of 42 years. It was on a company-sponsored bus trip to New York City to see “Jesus Christ Superstar,” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. They met through a mutual friend in January 1972 and fell in love instantly. They married the following year.

They lived for more than 25 years in Simsbury before moving to Ivoryton about 12 year ago to be close to the shore. It was there where they became involved in their community. He volunteered for many organizations in both communities.

As a child, he always loved model airplanes and continued that hobby throughout his entire life. He was a member of the American Model Airplane Association. He built his own model airplanes and flew them with his friends. He was also treasurer of the Borderline Flying Club. He loved to share his time and passion with his nephews and nieces, whether it was photography lessons or trips to the movies with his nephew B.J.

Born on Nov. 29, 1942, in Philadelphia, the son of Dr. Nathan and Caroline (Pinto) Lowe. He graduated from Germantown Academy in Carlisle, Pa., in 1960. He then went on to Dickinson College where he was editor of the college yearbook. In 1964, the year he graduated, he received the Pi Delta Epsilon Senior Journalism Award. He continued his education even while stationed in Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, N.H. He received a bachelor’s degree in business management from New Hampshire College in 1967. He received his master’s degree in business administration from Temple University in 1970.

William was a Vietnam War veteran. He served in the Air Force, and was stationed in Guam. He worked as an aircraft maintenance officer and he was a captain when he was honorably discharged in 1968.

William is survived by his wife, Yolanda Tine Lowe; his dog, Bella; many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday July 27 at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect St., Essex. The funeral procession will assemble at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Centerbrook Cemetery in Essex.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

To sign the online guest book visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com.