WARREN — Paul Gerald Dow, 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Warren on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Born on January 1, 1962 in Presque Isle, he was the son of Gerald and Brenda (Mosher) Dow. Educated in local schools he was a graduate of the Washburn District High School.

Following high school, Paul worked several jobs, including driving trucks for Jake Barbour, but was most proud of his 26 years with the Maine State Prison. He started working there as a guard and over time became the farm manager, tending to all the gardens and taking care of the animals. Through his hard work, and perseverance, he became a Certified Master Gardener. Being a “county boy” he was close to the land and loved all things related to farming and nature. He could mimic the calls of several species of owls and especially loved tractors.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a proud member of the “Biggest Bucks in Maine Club” and proudly displayed his trophy buck on his bedroom wall. Paul loved to go camping with his daughter, Kara, who remembers him as being a “great dad” who “had a big heart,” and he thought of her as being perfect.

He was a proud patriot, member of the National Rifle Association, and his desire to help people led him to become a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Cushing Fire Department for many years.

Other true loves of his life were his longtime girlfriend, Vicki Grindle, and his rescue dog, Hank. He considered Hank his pride and joy and even had him over his house for a slumber party before making the decision to adopt him.

He is survived by his father, of Presque Isle; his mother, of Bonita Springs FL; his daughter, Kara Dow and her partner Dylan Look of Cushing; a son, Chad Dow; sisters, Deidra Dow and her partner Kris Coburn of Waterford, and Andrea Bingham and her husband James of Elliott; his girlfriend, Vicki Grindle, of Belfast; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at 1 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. Rockland ME 0484,1 with the Rev. Wayne Sawyer officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations in Paul’s memory be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, PO Box 1294, Rockland ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Paul’s family, visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.