ST. GEORGE — Rowland Wasgatt Ames, Jr., 78, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Sussman Hospice House in Rockport, following a period of declining health.

Born in Rockland, July 13, 1942, he was the son of Rowland Ames, Sr. and Rose Demmons. At a young age he was adopted by his aunt Madeline Ames who lovingly raised him alone on Matinicus and later the mainland. 

Rowland attended Rockland High School, where he participated in the rifle club, the football team and was drum major for the Drum and Bugle Corps. He graduated in 1959 at 17 years old. From there he enlisted in the US Army and began boot camp at Fort Dix.

Rowland married Lona Harvey and they lived at Fort Dix for nine months before serving at Clark AFB in the Philippines for three years with the Army Security Agency.  

Returning home, Rowland worked for several years as a department manager at the Rockland Sears and Roebuck Store before they moved to his childhood home of Matinicus Island where he was a lobsterman.  

In 1970 Rowland and Lona adopted Kimberly. Eight years later they were gifted with the birth of Nathan. During that time Rowland captained F/V Kimalo and later he had the F/V Shady Lady built for lobster fishing. For a short period of time Rowland bought and captained P/V Dirigo giving scenic tours around Penobscot Bay as Mussel Ridge Cruises out of Rockland. 

A few years later Rowland left the island and went to work as a guard at the Maine State Prison, eventually retiring after twenty three years as Supervisor of the Bolduc Facility. 

Rowland enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserves, where he served 28 years before retiring in 2002. For several years following his retirement he worked for Securitas as security at Pen Bay Medical Center and the surrounding campus. 

An avid outdoorsmen he loved hunting with his best friend Fred Ripley and Fred’s sons Skip, Ted and Matt. Rowland enjoyed fishing as well. Collecting and restoring antique canoes was another favorite pastime.  

Family was always his number one priority. Rowland was a very loving, supportive and caring father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Through the last 31 years he loved spending time with his six grandchildren, attending holidays and school functions whenever he could and teaching them to fish. He found great joy with animals as well, beginning with his own childhood dogs, and later visiting his daughter and spoiling her family’s dogs and cats. He was always one to have dog bones in his truck in case he encountered a dog in his travels. 

His final years were spent living in St. George where he shared his home with his son, Nathan. With the loving assistance of his Elder Care Companion, Lisa Payson, he was able to continue living at home, spending quality time with loved ones, eating out, attending musical events, browsing antique stores and sightseeing the Midcoast. He enjoyed sitting watching boats in the harbors or reminiscing about hunting days while driving around Appleton Ridge. 

For more than 24 years, Rowland was an active member and past Commander of the Kinney - Melquist American Legion Post #34. He was deeply honored when the American Flag was dedicated to him and raised at the Memorial Ball Field in Tenants Harbor, May 9, 2020. 

Rowland was also a member of the Aurora Lodge #50 A.F. & A.M. and the Rockland Elks Lodge, No. 1008. 

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him. 

Predeceased by his father; mother; beloved adoptive mom; and half-sister, Gloria Kenney; Rowland is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Peabody and her husband Gary of Matinicus; his son, Nathan Ames of St. George; his grandchildren, Dustin Lindsey and wife Kristen, Dylan Lindsey, Megan Peabody and partner Victor Alveraz, Taylor Lindsey and partner Daniel Pollak, Joshua Peabody and fiancé Melissa Kelly, Alyson Peabody and partner Xander Nelson; great-grandsons, Declan and Thomas Lindsey; nephew and nieces, James Kenney, Rochelle Kenney, Julie Kenney, and Kelly Kenney. 

Rowland will be greatly missed by his long time close friend Dottie Grant and his wonderful caregivers Lisa Payson, Dena Coughlin R.N. and Trish Smith. 

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects, Tuesday, December 1, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, in a walk-thru visitation. Guest are asked to wear masks, enter then exit after a brief visit, giving time and distance for all to greet the family.  

Due to COVID restrictions, the celebration of Rowland’s life will be a live web-cast service Wednesday, December 2, at 11 a.m. All are invited to join virtually by logging on to his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com, then clicking the “Photos & Videos” tab, where a Watch Webcast link will be available.

A graveside committal service will be held Monday, December 7, 2020, at 1 p.m., at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta. All are welcome, however those who wish, may join virtually at the above web address.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either, St. George Firefighters & Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860; Rockland District Nursing, P.O. Box 1713, Rockland, Maine 04841; or Sussman Hospice House, 40 Anchor Drive, Rockport, Maine 04856.  

Arrangements are in the of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.