William J. Rowe

Vero Beach, FL - William "Will" Rowe was born November 26, 1947 in Yonkers, NY, the fifth child of Harry and Agnes Rowe, and passed away on August 31, 2018. He is survived by his brother, David Rowe and sisters, Frances Rowe and Susan Rowe, and her husband, Ib. His brother, Donald Rowe passed away in January of 2017. Words cannot convey the love and support Will expressed and received from his brothers and sisters during his life and especially his final years. Will married his first wife, Lori Kohn from Yonkers in 1969 and shortly after the two of them studied and worked in Germany for five years. After moving to Vermont, their daughter, Alyssa, was born and has been the greatest joy in Will's life since. Will married Theresa Crete Jones in 1990 who has been the love, life, and soul partner of his life since. They spent the last 28 years building a life together in Vermont, Maryland, and Florida. He had no words to express the love and care he felt for the person who has given him so much... his loving wife, Theresa. Will is survived by his wife, Theresa; his daughter, Alyssa Chase and her husband Jamie Chase and their two children, Hailey and James. He also loved his role as step-dad to Theresa's children, Carol Cowan and Christopher Jones, and his wife, Tanya Jones, and grandpa to their children Molly Cowan, Brady Jones and Hannah Jones. Being "Grandpa Will" has been a great joy for Will and he could not wish enough love and lifelong peace of mind to Hailey, James, Molly, Brady and Hannah. Will attended Yonkers Public Schools and is a proud member of the Gorton High School Class of '65. He received his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Manhattan College and continued graduate studies at Duke University and the Free University of Berlin. Will pursued his two career passions, the study and teaching of Philosophy and the compassionate work of social caring. He taught philosophy at a number of institutions, including the Community College of Vermont, University of Maryland, Trinity College, and Indian River State College. He never stopped being awed by opening minds to new ways of seeing, thinking, and being. Will was forever grateful for the privilege of working shoulder to shoulder with such wonderful people at Spectrum Youth and Family Services where he served for over 13 years as Executive Director, and the long-lasting relationships developed during that time. He always said that there was "an express ticket to heaven" for any person working in the child protection field. His passion for caring was also fulfilled through his 14 years in numerous social service positions with the State of Vermont and 8 years leading a national health advocacy organization dedicated to helping people living in chronic pain. Will touched thousands of lives in his personal and professional career and regularly expressed his gratitude for the privilege to be helpful to others. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial celebration for family and friends will be planned in Vermont at a later date. To honor Will's life, memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Youth and Family Services at 31 Elmwood Ave, Burlington, VT, 05401 or the Lund Family Center at 76 Glen Rd, Burlington, VT, 05401. Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com

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Published by The Burlington Free Press on Sep. 9, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William Rowe

Sponsored by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory.

10 Entries

Marie Bean

May 1, 2021

SOMEDAY
(Rob Thomas)

Do you like it Will? I love this song & video. It’s to honor you, & my experience of you, as much as my own hopes for life for myself & others. I love you Will & I hope someday I’ll get in some eternity to have the face-to-face conversations we used to have, but can no longer have now. You were a wonderful person & you are a beautiful soul or whatever it is after the body dies. Hope someday to see you again.
Blessings,
Marie

https://youtu.be/H6pODq8_FxE

Marie Bean

April 30, 2021

I am not sure if Will’s dear family will see my post going on nearly 3 years since Will passed, but due to circumstances I actually just learned of his passing on Sunday. I wrote a reflection on my Facebook page that I would like to share as what I experienced of Will’s presence as a supervisor/co-worker will always remain in my heart. I offer my deepest condolences to his family & loved ones as I know Will was the type of person who will be missed forever by those who knew & loved him. I am remembering fondly a dear man, supervisor & then co-worker from my final years working with the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL). I am sadly just learning now of his passing in 2018 and I am grateful to at least know now.
Will was so kind & supportive, a well of wisdom & insight at a very troubled time at the Department that particularly impacted some of us. I will always remember with gratitude the deep peace I felt in Will’s presence. He was like a lifeline extended to hold onto & be guided by.
Will was a deep, bright man with a lifelong love of philosophy. He had interest in meditation, was very experienced in leadership in the field of Human Services, & very grounded in his love of his family & community. I am forever grateful that Will shared freely of his wisdom, was so down to earth & easy to communicate with. We had some of the best conversations!
Thanks Will for all your encouragement. I am sorry I did not get to see you after you retired from DAIL. I carry you forward in my heart as the mentor you were for me. Blessings on what I hope has been your new journey. May the peace be with you that you have given to me.

Tom Zenaty

September 3, 2020

Being reminded of Will's passing again evokes great sadness in me. I miss him - his smile, his heart, his amazing array of skills and his wisdom. I miss you, Will. Thanks again for being part of my life.

September 10, 2018

Will and I worked together for a number of years as fellow social workers both in child welfare and in the Reach Up Program with the State of Vermont. Will brought an inquisitiveness, an intelligence, a sensitivity and a generosity of heart to his work and to his relationships with his family and friends. I always loved our brief reconnections after we no longer worked together. He truly was a gift of a person.

My most sincere condolences to Alyssa, Lori, Theresa and the rest of the family.

Tom Zenaty

Rosemary DeForge

September 10, 2018

Theresa, so sad to hear of the lost of your dear husband.

Maxine Holmes

September 10, 2018

Will was my supervisor when he worked at the Dept. of Social Welfare in Burlington, Vt. He was always soft spoken, compassionate, thoughtful and a 'friend' to all. He taught me to keep in mind that when a client asked for help it was because they truly were in need of that help. I have always remembered his words. He spoke of his family as being supportive and encouraging as was he. I think of how he affected me in my life with tears in my eyes. I appreciate very much having had the opportunity to know him and am saddened to hear of his passing.

Shawn Bushway

September 9, 2018

Will was my social worker from 1976 to 1979/80. He genuinely cared for his clients and long after I left the system he welcomed my calls. My condolences to his family - he truly was one of a kind and I'm better for having had him in my life.

Cindy Walcott

September 9, 2018

Will and I were social workers together many years ago. His combined interest in philosophy and serving people gave him a unique perspective on our work. I learned a lot from him. I worked with him when Alyssa was born, and saw first hand what a great joy that was to him. Thank you, Will. The world will miss you.

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