Toby E Gower

Toby E. Gower, 54, of Madison, crossed over to heaven on Monday January 23, 2012 in Skowhegan, Maine, surrounded by his family.

He was born December 30, 1957 in Skowhegan, Maine, the son of Raymond Gower and Sylvia (Brooks) Gower Mason.

He attended and graduated from Carrabec High School in the class of 1976.

Toby started out working at Campbell’s Hardware Store, Laurel Plastics, and Madison Paper Industry all in Madison. In 1976 he became a volunteer member of the Anson Fire Department retiring in 1998. In 1977, he started as a reserve patrol officer for the Madison Police Department; he was also a reserve for the Somerset County Sherriff’s Department and worked in the drug division. In 1988 he joined the Madison/Anson Ambulance service as a volunteer, and later became an EMT. He then was the owner/ operator for Mid State Transport. He worked for Mobile Mini Inc. in Maricopa, AZ, and then the New England Public Warehouse in Jay, ME. Through the years he has worked off and on for Merle L. Lloyd and Sons in Anson, worked for Cianbro as a foreman on the oil rig projects in Portland, Bruce Manzer, Inc. in Anson, driving dump truck, Goss International in Durham, NH, as a technical support coordinator, Dingley Press, Inc. in Lisbon, ME, Bob Duguay Associates off and on for many years in NH and MA.

He was a past member of the Masonic Lodge in N. Anson, also a past member of the United Bikers of Maine, Somerset County Division.

Toby enjoyed playing darts, shooting pool and motorcycling. He loved going to flea markets and auctions. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a little league coach for many years in Anson, and an assistant Boy Scout leader in Anson. Toby enjoyed taking vacations to Florida especially going to Disney. If you couldn’t find him, he was usually under a car working on it. He cherished the time he spent with his family.

He is survived by his mother Sylvia Mason and his step-father Robert Mason of Anson, his children; Dustin Gower and his fiancé Elizabeth Daisey of Anson, Ted Gower of Anson, Amanda Poissonnier of Waterville, his sister Cindy Dickey and her husband Brent of Madison, his grandson Toby-Nicholas Parker Gower of Anson, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, his girlfriend Barbara Poissonnier of Madison, his former wife and best friend Leisa Hilton of Anson.

He was predeceased by his father, his grandparents, and his good friend and mentor Ed Greenlaw.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 1:00pm, at the Masonic Hall, Main Street, North Anson, Maine and at the request of the family please no small children at the service. A spring burial will be held at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

Donations may be made in his memory to Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine 04976 to help pay for the funeral expenses.