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Dr. Thomas Jackson Clowes

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Phillips Exeter Academy Harvard University University of Rochester

Thomas Clowes Obituary

CLOWES, Dr. Thomas Jackson Passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at Glover Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts, at the age of 63. Dr. Clowes was born Dec. 24, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended school at Hawken in Cleveland and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, followed by college at Harvard University, where he majored in chemistry. Upon graduation from college, Thomas Clowes joined the Coast Guard and served as an officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Storis stationed out of Kodiak, Alaska. He finished his tour of duty in Juneau, Alaska as a lieutenant in the Rescue Coordination Center. Starting in 1975, Dr. Clowes studied medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester in 1982. Dr. Clowes married Magdalena Merck Wheeler in 1972. The couple settled in Rochester, where Dr. Clowes had a successful private practice in internal medicine. He was a clinical instructor and attending physician at the University of Rochester Medical School until his retirement. As a member and director of Clowes Fund, Dr. Clowes was a philanthropist who worked to support art, the environment, and medical education. Dr. Clowes was an avid sailor and sportsman, who loved to cruise with his family. He sailed in a number of ocean races, including the Monhegan Race, Newport-Bermuda Race, and the Marblehead-Halifax Race. Other hobbies included bicycling, hiking, camping, and building boats and children's toys. Dr. Clowes will long be remembered as a caring physician and loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend. Dr. Clowes is survived by his wife Magdalena Wheeler Clowes of Rochester and Woods Hole, MA, daughter Sarah Wheeler Clowes and her husband Mark Michelin of San Francisco, and son Alexander Wheeler Clowes and his wife Jolynn Khamky of Manhattan, his mother Margaret Clowes of Dover, Massachusetts, brothers Dr. Alexander Clowes of Seattle, Washington and John Clowes of Cushing, Maine, sisters Margaret Bowles of Lyme, New Hampshire and Dr. Edith Clowes of Lawrence, Kansas. A Memorial Service will be at 3 p.m. on January 29th at the Church of Messiah in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Memorial contributions in Tom's name may be given to The Association of Frontotemporal Dementias Caregiver Respite Fund at Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087. Please visit www.duckett-waterman.com for an online guest book and to offer condolences.

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Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Clowes

30 Entries

February 17, 2011

In 1989 I MOVED FROM PHILDELPHIA TO ROCHESTER TO TAKE A SENIOR EXECUTIVE POSITION WITH XEROX.....IT WAS A VERY STRESSFUL TIME AND ONE DAY I COLLAPSED IN A MEETING AND WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL....DR CLOWES WAS THE ATTENDING DOCTOR...AFTER I WAS WELL HE BECAME MY DOCTOR AND HELPED ME THROUGH MANY DIFFICULT TIMES..HE WAS A GOOD LISTENER..A VERY CARING PERSON AND AN EXCELLENT DOCTOR......NOW RETIRED AND LIVING IN THE ENDLESS MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA ON MY HORSE FARM......I WAS VERY SAD TO LEARN OF THIS NEWS......HE WAS VERY SPECIAL AND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY.......MAUNALLEN GREGORY

Bill & Kathy Dalton

January 27, 2011

Dear Markie, Sarah and Alec,
Tom was a man with many talents, yet he always seemed to have time for others. Although I wasn't a patient of his, he frequently stopped to visit me when I was hospitalized.
Tom's illness changed life for all of you. My last memory of Tom will be his sharing a quiet moment with Sarah at her wedding.
You are in our thoughts and prayers and we regret not being able to be at Woods Hole for Tom's memorial service.

Polly Parker

January 21, 2011

Dear Markie, Sarah and Alec,
Even though we haven't seen each other in many years we have many wonderful memories of fun times we shared with all of you and your dad. Please know you have all been in our thoughts since we have learned of his passing. He was a gentle and caring man and I was honered to know and spend time with him. If the weather cooperates next Saturday Steve and I hope to see you at the Church of Messiah.
Polly Parker

January 16, 2011

For Tom's Family,

Please know that Tom was a special gift given to me starting in Webster in the early 80's. I needed a man who would hear me as I struggled with my health and Tom was always ready to help me along through the years. My issues were chronic and Tom understood and respected me as I often stumbled in my efforts to care for myself. I stayed with him until he retired. I admired him greatly and was so saddened to hear of his passing.

Thank You,

Stephen J. Eveleigh

Bloomfield, N.Y.

January 13, 2011

I have gone to many general practioners throughout my 58 years, but none of them possessed Dr. Clowes' special gifts and qualities. He always ASKED questions, and always took the time to answer any question I might have. Regardless of whether it was at 5:30pm or 10:30pm, he never failed to return patients' phone calls that had been left for him during the day. Never have I know anyone invest so much of himself into his profession. Never have I know a doctor who cared so much about his patients. I still remember the awful disappointment I felt when I learned he was retiring. I will always be grateful for his medical skill and knowledge, and will never forget his kindness and goodness.

Brenda Grosswirth
Rochester, New York

January 11, 2011

Dear Mrs. Clowes,
I was so very sad to learn about the death of Dr. Clowes. He was my doctor and my husband's doctor in Webster and Rochester for several years. We liked him so very much! We moved away before he did and then a mutual friend heard that he had returned to the Rochester area. A mutual patient/friend sent me his obituary. Dr. Clowes had such a quiet serene way about himself it is inspiring to read about what he accomplished in his lifetime! I am extremely sad to see his life come to an end so young. My first husband died in 2001 and my present husband has moderate dementia. I can see the changes coming along. It is so sad. I just want you to know that my heart goes out to you with love and caring. Hopefully your children will help you cope in the coming days.
Blessings always,
Elsie LaCount (now from ME.and MA.)

Jerry Keller

January 11, 2011

Markie,

Please accept our condolences from the Kellers and their families

vicki/rachel pasternak

January 10, 2011

Dear Markie, Sarah, Alex
We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. You have our heartfelt sympathies. Tom was a truley remarkable man. Hold close to your hearts all the wonderful memories.

Vicki&Rachel Pasternak

Dean Kindig

January 10, 2011

Dear Markie,
I was so sad to hear about Tom. I always enjoyed talking with you about Alex, and just stopping by in your office to chat. We take the serendipity for granted, for sure. My love to you, Alex, and Sarah. Love and Light,
Dean

Anton Porsteinsson

January 10, 2011

Dear Markie
My sympathies to you and the kids. I feel fortunate to have known both you and Tom and he will inspire me in work and life.
Best,
Anton P. Porsteinsson

Jay Stetzer

January 10, 2011

We are so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated physician, and a remarkable father. We hold his spirit in our hearts and offer our sympathy to his loved ones.

Jay Stetzer and Maura Allen

January 10, 2011

I first walked into the Webster Medical Center expecting to to become a patient of my father-in-law's doctor. I was told that he was not accepting patients but that there was a new doctor, Dr. Clowes, who was accepting new patients. I was a bit disappointed until my first visit with Dr. Clowes. I returned home and expressed to my wife the need for her to also become his patient. Her grandmother was later his patient while she was in a nearby nursing home. We were amazed at the time he devoted to visiting her and others in the home. She was 100 years old but very perceptive. She absolutely loved Dr. Clowes and often talked of him. One need only look in a thesaurus under "humanitarian" and observe each adjective, beginning with "compassionate", to best understand the feelings of those who knew him. I believe his empathy was unequaled.

Don Smith - Ontario, NY

January 9, 2011

Dear Markey and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We lost contact with each other so many years ago, but the memories will never go away of when you first came to Rochester. the how's and why's you purchased your first home on Cobb's Hill. It was work, it was fun, it was quite an education in determination. Fondly, I wish only the best from here forward for you and the family. Sonia Lochner

Ted/Jean Wernert

January 9, 2011

Jan 09 2011
We are so saddened to hear of Dr. Clowes passing. He was Ted's and my doctor and also helped us with our mother's when our dad's passed. May you all be blessed with the wonderful memories he has left all of you and celebrate his life many times over. Wonderful memories to Sheila(nurse).

Adele Latham

January 9, 2011

Dear Markie, Sarah & Alex, I was so saddened to hear of the passing of your husband and Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Markie you have never been far from my thoughts. Take Care, Love Adele

Thomas McMeekin M.D.

January 9, 2011

Markie, I share your grief over your loss. Tom was a great physician whose life was cut short by a miserable affliction.You and your family have shown great caring and fortitude during these difficult times. I believe dealing with dementia is more challenging than dealing with cancer.I hope your fond memories of Tom during his healthy years gives you the strength to go foward with your lives.I offer my condolences to you and his family. Sincerely, Tom McMeekin M.D.

January 8, 2011

Dear Markey, Sarah and Alec,
Sending heartfelt condolences on the untimley passing of Tom. What a loss.
I am so sorry.
Barb Orenstein-Present

A wonderful friend, neighbor, sailor, skier, and waterfall guy! This was a private waterfall we did during the same visit in February, 2002.

Ruth& Roger Hopkins

January 8, 2011

You visited us in Ithaca for some waterfall adventures in February, 2002

Ruth & Roger Hopkins

January 8, 2011

Beth Gallagher

January 8, 2011

I've been reflecting on what a kind, caring physician Tom was. I worked for him on a per diem basis so Sheila could have a day off or two. Tom would always take extra time with his patients and that could cause him to be late for his next patient, but they all knew that when it was their turn, he would spend as much time as they needed. Feeling sad about your loss, but know that we are all better people for having known him. Sincerely, Beth Gallagher

January 8, 2011

To: Markie,Sarah,Alec and extended family
We wee saddened to hear fo
Tom's passing. he was a kind and caring doctor and mentor. More ,especially he was a dear friend. Heartfelt condolences. Sheila(Tom's nurse) and Jim Lucey

Gina Rehberg

January 7, 2011

I was very saddened to hear of your loss. I worked for Dr. Clowes for many years as the medical transcriber for the office. He was one of the nicest people it has been my pleasure to know and work for. I will always have fond memories of an office picnic at the house on Canandaigua Lake. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

Susan Stillman

January 7, 2011

Dear Markie, Sarah and Alec,
Your father was my best cousin friend in high school and college. We corresponded constantly and he would visit us in Brookline from Exeter. Often his letters were hilarious, a great contrast with the Winsor grind. We shared a surprise 21st birthday at your grandmother's (old) house with him dancing on a broken leg in a cast. Racing sailboats together he helped me learn spinnaker skills in my Rhodes 19 and crewed for my father in Aquila. We did photography together when he was working on the Harvard Crimson or yearbook? and we hung out in the darkroom. Later he visited us in Seattle many times, especially in his 20's and always to our great joy.

Charlie and I sustained our connection with your father even in the sadder days of later years when he shared with us his consternation over his health during ski and bike trips and Dover visits. We send our love.

Susie

Catherine Gillespie

January 7, 2011

Markie,Sarah,Alec and family,
You know we truly miss Tom. He was a thoughtful,dedicated and talented physician, but more importantly a truly caring person. He was one of our closest friends and we have missed him and his humor (and the ice cream he always brought when he came for dinner) Our love to you!
Cath and John

January 7, 2011

Dear Markey and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was Dr. Clowes first secretary at the Webster Health Center and then helped open his practice with him on Park Ave in Rochester. He was such a compassionate physician - a kind man with a gentle spirit and I know will truly be missed by all.
Karen Casper, Webster, NY

Cat LoTempio

January 7, 2011

I worked with Dr. Clowes as his Office Manager for many years. He was one of the most caring men and physicians I have ever known.
He will be truly missed.
I wish to express my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. My heart felt prayers go out to them in their time of grief.

Cat LoTempio

January 7, 2011

Dear Markey and family,
I was saddened to see Tom's death notice today in the Rochester paper. I know the past several years have been difficult ones. I remember the fun times we had up at Gillespie's cottage on Georgian Bay. Tom loved it up there and enjoyed all the outdoor activities. He was a very gentle soul. Wishing you much strength as you go through the days ahead. Thinking of you. Jan Gates

January 7, 2011

I am truly sorry for your loss. Dr.Clowes was my physician until he retired. He was such a kind,gentle and caring person. I can remember the day he told me he was retiring. I was shocked and said to him "You can't retire .You are too young and I don't know what I will do without you." He smiled and replied don't worry you will be fine and their are plenty of Dr.s you can choose from I said "I'll never find a Doctor like you." He smiled and thanked me.That is how I will always remember Dr.Clowes ..Smiling. Sincerely Lawrence R. Stefanello

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