Obituary for Donald "Don" Rowe
Donald “Don” Rowe, C. Eng. P. Eng.
14 October 1939 – 01 March 2019
Don passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2019, with his loving family by his side. Don was pre-deceased by his father, William Rowe, his mother Elizabeth Howells Rowe, his brothers, Desmond and Geoffrey, and his sister Margaret. Leaving to mourn are his beloved wife of 51 years, Margaret, son Mark, daughter Sian (Gareth) Owen, granddaughters, Megan and Madeline Owen.
Don was born in Godre’r Graig, Wales UK, October 14, 1939 and grew up in Alltwen, Pontardawe. He studied Electrical Engineering at the Welsh College of Advanced Technology, Cardiff. After graduating he began his engineering career with the Hendon Electricity Board in London. He and three other Welsh mates shared a flat in Hampstead Heath, London for four years.
In 1965 Don emigrated to Canada to work for Montreal Engineering in Montreal. In 1966 he was sent on a six-month assignment to Newfoundland Light & Power in St. John’s. He ended up staying for eleven years, fell in love, married and started a family. In 1977, Don, Margaret, Mark and Sian moved to British Columbia where Don worked at BC Hydro for 27 years, retiring in 2004.
Don was an athlete who skied, played tennis, but most of all he had a passion for soccer.
As one of his team mates recently said, “Don was a dynamo on the soccer field”. He began playing “the beautiful game”, at age five and continued to play throughout his life until age 65. He coached children’s soccer and was a referee. In BC he played with several teams in the Tri-Cities and on many occasions he was awarded Most Valuable Player because of his tremendous soccer skills.
Music and singing were also part of Don’s life. He spoke fluent Welsh and often gave us his rendition of a Welsh song or hymn. Don had an enthusiasm for life, he was a happy, positive, fun loving person who enjoyed a party and a group sing along. On times he could have a wicked sense of humor and be the life of the party.
Don enjoyed coaching and watching his kids sports events, even his son’s hockey practices at 5:00 am in a cold hockey arena. Quite often Mark & Sian would say, “Mom, tell dad not to be so enthusiastic with his cheering us on from the side lines”. When his grandchildren came along, they were the light of life and they brought him tremendous joy.
Don loved to travel. He and Margaret took many trips together. They traveled to Wales often to spend time with family and friends. He was very proud of his Welsh Heritage and throughout his life he kept in contact with the friendships developed during his teenage and university years. It was irrelevant that an ocean and a continent lay in between. The friendships lasted a lifetime. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family is grateful to Doctor Nick, the nurses, care aides and staff at Foyer Maillard, Coquitlam, for the compassionate care Don received for the short time he was there.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Parish, 140 Moody Street, Port Moody, BC. V3H 2P9. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC.
14 October 1939 – 01 March 2019
Don passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2019, with his loving family by his side. Don was pre-deceased by his father, William Rowe, his mother Elizabeth Howells Rowe, his brothers, Desmond and Geoffrey, and his sister Margaret. Leaving to mourn are his beloved wife of 51 years, Margaret, son Mark, daughter Sian (Gareth) Owen, granddaughters, Megan and Madeline Owen.
Don was born in Godre’r Graig, Wales UK, October 14, 1939 and grew up in Alltwen, Pontardawe. He studied Electrical Engineering at the Welsh College of Advanced Technology, Cardiff. After graduating he began his engineering career with the Hendon Electricity Board in London. He and three other Welsh mates shared a flat in Hampstead Heath, London for four years.
In 1965 Don emigrated to Canada to work for Montreal Engineering in Montreal. In 1966 he was sent on a six-month assignment to Newfoundland Light & Power in St. John’s. He ended up staying for eleven years, fell in love, married and started a family. In 1977, Don, Margaret, Mark and Sian moved to British Columbia where Don worked at BC Hydro for 27 years, retiring in 2004.
Don was an athlete who skied, played tennis, but most of all he had a passion for soccer.
As one of his team mates recently said, “Don was a dynamo on the soccer field”. He began playing “the beautiful game”, at age five and continued to play throughout his life until age 65. He coached children’s soccer and was a referee. In BC he played with several teams in the Tri-Cities and on many occasions he was awarded Most Valuable Player because of his tremendous soccer skills.
Music and singing were also part of Don’s life. He spoke fluent Welsh and often gave us his rendition of a Welsh song or hymn. Don had an enthusiasm for life, he was a happy, positive, fun loving person who enjoyed a party and a group sing along. On times he could have a wicked sense of humor and be the life of the party.
Don enjoyed coaching and watching his kids sports events, even his son’s hockey practices at 5:00 am in a cold hockey arena. Quite often Mark & Sian would say, “Mom, tell dad not to be so enthusiastic with his cheering us on from the side lines”. When his grandchildren came along, they were the light of life and they brought him tremendous joy.
Don loved to travel. He and Margaret took many trips together. They traveled to Wales often to spend time with family and friends. He was very proud of his Welsh Heritage and throughout his life he kept in contact with the friendships developed during his teenage and university years. It was irrelevant that an ocean and a continent lay in between. The friendships lasted a lifetime. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family is grateful to Doctor Nick, the nurses, care aides and staff at Foyer Maillard, Coquitlam, for the compassionate care Don received for the short time he was there.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Parish, 140 Moody Street, Port Moody, BC. V3H 2P9. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC.