Howard "Howie" Arthur Rowe

Howard “Howie” Arthur Rowe, 12/22/1939 – 11/10/2024 passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family this past Sunday. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach and mentor. Born in Lynn, MA, the son of Howard and Genevive, he grew up with three siblings Ken, Ed and Marian, who all loved to tease each other about who was the oldest throughout their lives. The stories of their youthful shenanigans entertained them all. His brilliant teaching career was proceeded by his education at Lynn English, Salem State College and an eventual Masters in English at the University of Southern Maine. He met his amazing wife Margaret early in his educational pursuits, and between them created a loving home for their three children Michael, Chris & Kathleen. After graduating from Salem State, he applied to over thirty-five school districts before landing an offer in Maine. Little did the Portland School District know that they’d landed the catch of a lifetime. His forty-year teaching career got its start at King Middle School in the early sixties before moving on to Deering High where he finished his storied tenure. Along the way he was recruited to teach English at the University Southern of Maine, one of many part-time positions he worked on top of his time at Deering. It was at Deering, however, where he became more than just a teacher, immersing himself in students’ lives, realizing his guidance and advice could make a difference in their futures, and provide the sage advice they never knew they needed. From Project Graduation, yearbook, SAT administrator and senior class advisor to mentoring countless students, he helped prepare a few generations for life awaiting them after his classes ended and the real world began. It was not uncommon for former students to return many years later to ensure Howie was still teaching. They knew their children could benefit from his wit and wisdom, with several practically begging him to remain at Deering long enough to help their kids get through. If that wasn’t enough, he was given the opportunity to teach at Portland’s sister city in Japan, Shinigawa. Chosen from many well qualified candidates, it was not surprising he made his mark on the unsuspecting to a new group of schoolchildren, returning to 94 Best St. with boxes of gifts as a sign of their appreciation and a new title, “Sensei”. After he retired one could often find him at lunch or enjoying a beer with former students and once Facebook became popular, he had a cast of almost two thousand he was able to keep up with, still offering his unsolicited but welcome commentary. He was a proud father and made sure he knew as much about his children’s friends’ lives as he did the three of his own. As some have put it, he was always deeply inquisitive but never nosy, he really did care about their lives and how they were doing. While the kids were growing up, he worked several part-time jobs to supplement his teacher’s salary so that Margaret could stay at home and focus on raising the family. Weekends running through Foss Furniture gave the family a chance to see the “business” side of the man and their home was all the better furnished for it. Family vacations were spent in his “happy place” at Mt. Blue State Park where the family amassed memories that lasted a lifetime. It was here where he developed his love of the outdoors, something he passed on to the entire family. Not an avid fitness buff, the man developed a love for running later in life when he put down the pipe and focused on his health. Warm days you’d find him treading a path through the Evergreen Cemetery streets and on cold days he’d drive Margaret crazy running the halls and staircase in a house that seemed to buckle each time he pranced over the old pine floors he’s helped her restore and refinish. He was active in the Boy Scouts not only making several mountain treks each summer, but also spending more time with his boys. Road trips to Montreal with the boys, and summers spent as the first mate on Capt. Bob’s “Indian Princess” were just a few of the many things that kept his childish spirit alive and well. As his children grew older, his love of music would bring them together at music festivals and concerts. And boy did he love music! No matter what the genre, Rap, Rock, Classical or Jazz, he was certain to be up on the latest trends and happy to share his opinions about emerging bands along with the classics. He actually attended Woodstock 1999 and was an early user of Napster. A hipster until the day he died. If he was a proud father, then he was an even prouder Grandfather. “Pops”, “Papa”, “Grampy”, whatever they called him he was always there for plays, soccer and football games, recitals, graduations and whatever excuse he could find to get Margaret on a plane or in the car. Maybe it was his love of watching the next generation of Rowes grow up or his affection for collecting new hats and t-shirts, regardless, you’d always see him on the sideline and first in line for ice cream after. That man had a sweet tooth, and all the grandkids knew it. He was the “Candyman”, ushering in Halloween for several kids down the street when his own had long left the nest. If Margaret’s cookies and cakes weren’t enough to satisfy his cravings, candy, and sometimes whoopie pies, were hidden all around the house just in case the grandkids showed up and tried to steal them. He was fortunate enough to see all six of the grandchildren’s high school graduations and enamored himself with more new friends and families at each ceremony. And if he was a proud grandfather, then it was only eclipsed by Margaret, the love of his life for more than sixty years. He taught his children the art of subtle gestures like complimenting her on the little things, supporting her unconditionally even when he knew she might not have been exactly correct, assembling flowers and loving her unconditionally with all his heart. He devoured her cooking and trusted her implicitly with all household decisions. He’d have been a lesser man without his better half. The family got to celebrate so much together, but some of the most wonderful events were their thirtieth, fortieth and fiftieth anniversary parties. Attended by friends, students and family alike, they were a true testament to their enduring love. In the end, one of his last quotes to her embodied their love, “Honey, sixty years with you wasn’t enough time”. Having grown up in New England he loved his own backyard so much that they rarely travelled in their early years together. The family benefitted from many of his “Mystery Rides” in the fall to catch the colors, trips to Boston with the Knights of Columbus for Red Sox Games, and cross-country ski trips all over Maine. But once he caught the travel bug, he and Margaret began travelling in earnest to make up for lost time. Whether it was Hawaii, taking cruises to Europe or flying to visit their family and children, he’d come home and wonder when they could get on a plane again for the next adventure. A favorite experience of theirs was visiting Russia after the cold war and immersing themselves in the architecture and daily life. There was a long bucket list of places to see, and a map in his office of the world, pinned after each country they visited. The stories from his friends and family could go on and on, and they’re all better off for him being part of their lives. One of his former students penned a piece for the Press Herald about him, calling Howard a “force of nature”. He was all that and more. We already miss his sarcasm, wit, generous nature, his prodding questions, his smile, his warm eyes and hugs, and above all his love. He will be sorely missed but we all rest a bit easier knowing that as clichéd as it may be, he’s out of pain and in a much better place. Ironically, as an English teacher, he probably would have circled that sentence in red and asked it to be phrased a different way. His family should know, they often helped correct his tests. He is survived in life by his wife of over 60 years and his one true love Margaret, his brother Edward (Marian), his three children Michael (Kathleen), Chris (Valerie), Kate, and his six grandchildren, Maria, Madison, Samantha, Kaitlin, Matthew and Connor. A wake will be held on Friday, December 13th with church services on Saturday, December 14th. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be sent to St Jude’s Children’s research hospital. Visitation will be held from 4-6 Pm on Friday December 13, 2024 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 Am Saturday December 14, 2024 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial will be a t a later date. In lieu of flowers Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 Tel: 1-800-805-5856 Web: http://www.stjude.org/

Howard "Howie" Arthur Rowe

December 22, 1939 - November 10, 2024

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