OWLS HEAD – John Stephen Dow, 85, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Togus Springs Hospice Center. 

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 6, 1932, Stephen, as he was known, was the son of Robert and Olive Pearson Dow.  Educated in Rockland schools, he was a 1951 graduate of Rockland High School. 

Following graduation, Steve was drafted into the U.S. Army.  While stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, his unit was waiting to ship out when the Korean War ended.  Steven was honorably discharged in 1955.

On July 5, 1962 Steve married Maxine Rogers Whitney in Rockland at Pratt Memorial Methodist Church.  Together they resided in Owls Head and raised their family there.    

Steve loved being on the water, and was proud of his life-long career as a commercial fisherman.  He began fishing with his father who owned his own boat, and later began fishing for O’Hara’s.  Over the years he has caught herring for Holmes Packing, fished out of New Bedford and gone scalloping and dragging in both Gloucester and Boston.  Even after retiring, Steve continued lobstering, well into his 80’s. 

Steve had a passion for woodworking and when his first granddaughter was born, he made her a hope chest.  His meticulous care and beautiful work can be seen from the dove tail joints to the very last detail.  As more granddaughters came along, Steve completed six more hope chests; and so as not to leave out the boys, he completed sea chests for all of the great-grandsons.  His work will be treasured memories for generations. 

A history buff, Steve loved traveling to civil war battlefields and participating in reenactments.  He was an avid New England fan, always watching the Patriots and Bruins, and he relished the Red Sox victory over the Yankees this fall.  His family said he was an excellent cook, and he made waffles for them every Sunday. 

A member of the Knox Lodge of Masons No. 189, he was a 32nd Degree Mason.  Steve also spent many hours volunteering as a member of the Kora Shrine in Lewiston. 

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his wife in 2013; a sister Barbara Vinal and two brothers, Robert Dow, and  David Dow; Steve is survived by children, Craig Whitney and his wife Linette of Warren, April Kalloch and her husband Peter of Hudson, Florida, Scott Whitney and his wife Marie of Hudson, Florida, Laurie Smith and her husband Peter of Rockland, Joan Dow and her husband Jack Burnett of Pasadena, California; his siblings, R. Daniel Dow and his wife Vicki of Florida, Sylvia Smith of Rockport, Doris Clarke and her husband Harold of Rockland, Jane Thorndike and her husband David of Louisiana, James Dow and his wife Kathryn of Owls Head; his grandchildren, Michalane ‘Micki’ Johnson and her husband Rick, Jacquelyn ‘Jackie’ Pearce, Stephen Cole all of Hudson, Florida, Calli Peters and her husband Nick of Warren, Robert Kalloch and his wife Lilah of Williamsburg, Virginia, Jennifer Houle and her husband Christopher of Hudson, New Hampshire, Holly Morais and her husband Rob of Hudson, Florida, Katherine Kansa and her husband Geoffrey of Annapolis, Maryland, Michelle Kuryliw and her husband Derek of New Port Richie, Florida; his great-grandchildren, Zachary, Makian, and Ruby Johnson all of Hudson, Florida, Maciah and Amani Pearce of Hudson, Florida, Grace, Finley and Lucy Kalloch of Williamsburg, Virginia, Grayson Peters of Warren, Benjamin Houle of Hudson, New Hampshire, and Eleanor and Stephen Kansa of Annapolis, Maryland; as well many nieces, nephews and a large loving extended family. 

Family and friends are invited to visit from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland where a celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018.  The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate.  Private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Burn Institute, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114; or Togus Springs Hospice Unit, One VA Center, Augusta, Maine 04330

To share a memory or condolence with the Dow family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.