Obituary of Russell Arthur Dowe

Russell Arthur Dowe, 91 of Wolfville, passed away on September 22, 2018 in Valley Regional Hospital.  Born in Truro, Nova Scotia on 5 July, 1927, Russell was the son of Roy Burton and Olive Myrtle (nee Martin) Dowe of Bible Hill.

He is survived by his daughters Catherine Dowe, New Minas; Elizabeth Sloan (James), Aldershot; and Mary-Judith Dowe (Stuart Rowley) Montreal; six devoted grand-children – Tamara Cere (Jon Bird), Alison McCreadie (Ted), Emily Morse (Ryan), Jessica Thurlow (Adam), Nicholas Sloan (Krista) and Merrick D’Amato; and eight great-grand-children, Ethan, Isaac, & Aiden Cere; Harrison & Amelia McCreadie; Madeleine & Caleb Morse; and Ezra Thurlow. He is also survived by his sisters Eileen Kelley, Toronto, and Dorothy Jones, Woodstock, New Brunswick.  He was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie, and infant twin brothers.

Dad attended school in Truro, graduating from Colchester County Academy in 1946.  He continued his education at the Nova Scotia Provincial Normal College and graduated with the class of 1947. He attended Acadia University, receiving both his B.A. and B. Ed.  He taught school for 35 years after which he was active in the N.S. Retired Teachers Association.

He was a member of Wolfville United Baptist Church for more than 60 years and served on many boards and committees as well as being a deacon. He joined St. Georges Masonic Lodge, in 1957 holding the office of Worshipful Master in 1965 and as Secretary from 1969-1979. He was also the recipient of the 60-year membership medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

Dad was well known for his dry sense of humour and his ability to tell anecdotes. He also had a gift of making the listener believe every word.

He could recite poetry from memory, some of which he had learned in school.  One of his favourites was a verse from ― Thomas Babington Macaulay’s, Lays of Ancient Rome with which he faced his own mortality:

“Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate:
To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods”

He was patient, he was kind and he was one of the few truly honest men.

Thank you to all the caregivers on Rainforth-Wagner Unit at Grand View Manor, the VON and those private caregivers who helped while dad was at home.  We appreciate the care and compassion shown to our dad and grandfather.

A Service of Remembrance will be held in the Wolfville Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 11:00 am. Family flowers only by request.  Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Red Cross or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of NS.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Wolfville Funeral Chapel, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, B4P 1E5 (902-542-4656).