Vernon E. Vowles

PLANTSVILLE, Conn. and OLD TOWN – Vernon E. Vowles, 80, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, at the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Conn., following a long illness. He was born December 9, 1929, in Greenbush, the son of Edward and Celia (Pelkey) Vowles. Vernon was a U.S. Army veteran, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. Joseph’s Church (now Holy Family Church). He served in the U.S. Army as a Medical Technician during the Korean War. He was employed at the University of Maine for 36 years, retiring in 1990. Vernon loved spending time with his family and was a devoted husband and father. He was best known for his sense of humor, gentle demeanor, generous manner and work ethic. He enjoyed wood working, Sunday drives and playing the piano with his family. Vernon is survived by his three daughters, Pamela A. St. Peter and her husband, Anthony, of Hallowell, Karen M. Wilke and her husband, Douglas, of Woodbury, Conn. and Tee Teran and her husband, Luis Robles, of Lowell, Mass. He is also survived by his sister, Thelma Boutin; eight grandchildren, Benjamin and Amy St. Peter, Douglas Jr., Beth and Jenna Wilke, Luis Robles Jr., Pedro and Zachary Teran; three great-grandchildren, Romeo Robles, Gavin Wilke and Tyler Gangloff; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret (Jeddrie); his parents; two brothers, Arnold and Edward; and two sisters, Edna Langtange and Alice Michaud. The family would like to send a sincere thank you to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center staff and friends for their unconditional loving care during Vernon’s four-year visit.

Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, October 15 at the Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, at Holy Family Church in Old Town, with the Rev. Bill Labbe, celebrant. Committal will be held at Lawndale Cemetery following the service. Family and friends are invited to the Holy Family Parish Center following the burial for continued fellowship and luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, 1-800-272-3900. See Vernon Vowles’ Tribute page at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_tributes.asp