Frederick D. Rowe

Rowe, Frederick D., Sr., 90, of Lighthouse Point and formerly of Orange, MA, and Dover, DE, passed. away on Monday, July 11, 2005 in the Boca Raton Community Hospital, Boca Raton, FL, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Born on June 20, 1915 in Orange, he was a son of Frederick F. and Hattie P. (Dennis) Rowe and grew up in Orange, graduating from Orange High School in 1933. He later graduated from Northeastern University, Boston, in 1939. He had worked at Fellows Gearshaper in Springfield, VT, becoming a foreman. He had lived in Springfield, VT and Charlestown, NH during this time. In 1939, he married Jeanne A. (Hause) and they have enjoyed 66 years together. He enlisted into the United States Navy, commissioned as an Ensign and became Chief Engineer on the USS Wadsworth during World War Two. He served in the South Pacific and obtained 11 Bronze Stars. He was Honorably discharged in 1945 as a Lt. Commander. Following the war, he served in the Naval Reserves for several years. Upon his return to Orange, he worked at the former Minute Tapioca Co. in Orange. which later became a division of the General Foods Corp., and relocated to Dover, DE in 1963 and worked there till retiring in 1972. In 1974, Frederick and Jeanne moved to Florida yet remained summer residents of Lake Mattawa in Orange. While living in Orange, Frederick was involved with Boy Scout Troop 40, had been a local athlete, Life member of American Legion Post 172 and its Last Man's Club, both of Orange, member of the Orange High School Alumni Association, Life member of the Orange Historical Society, member of the American Association of Plant Engineers, and member of both the Massachusetts and Delaware Society of Professional Engineers. Besides his beloved wife Jeanne of Lighthouse Point, FL, he is survived by his sons Frederick D. Rowe Jr. of Naples, FL, John C. Rowe of Dover. DE, Daniel T. Rowe of Springfield, MA, and Roger L. Rowe of Coral Springs, FL; a daughter Kathleen J. Rowe of Dover, DE; sixteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Richard L. Rowe and a brother. Mortimer Rowe. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 5, 2005 at 1:00PM at St. Mary's Church, 19 Congress Street, Orange. Interment will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol. There are no calling hours. Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements. Guest register and directions available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com.