It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the death of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend Allan Joseph Rowe on July 25, 2022 surrounded by his loving family at An Cala Palliative Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He was the sixth of nine children born to Ronald Sr. and Ella (Carew) Rowe. After the untimely passing of his father in 1959, he and his siblings were raised with the assistance of his paternal aunt Mary Rowe. A proud Whitney Pier boy, Allan was an excellent and enthusiastic student. In his youth he attended Villanova, Don Bosco, and Holy Redeemer Boys School, and graduating from Sydney Academy in 1969. He then attended Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (NSEIT) where he studied Business Organization and Management and graduated in 1971 with a major in Accounting. More importantly, it was during his time at Eastern Tech that he met and fell in love with his wife and companion of 48 years, Jessie Mae (Currie) Rowe. Upon graduation from NSEIT he was recruited by The Bank of Nova Scotia, Main Branch on Hollis Street in Halifax followed by transfers to Dartmouth, Truro, and Sydney. Upon returning to Sydney he worked for a short time with KPMG Chartered Accountants before being hired by the Eskasoni Band Council. He served the community of Eskasoni for 26 years, first as a comptroller and then as administrator of the Eskasoni Health Centre. During his time in Eskasoni he formed many great friendships.
Allan was a long time member of St. Mary’s Parish East Bay as well as St. Mary’s Parish Frenchvale. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus (9476 Sydney River), St. Mary’s Men’s Club East Bay, and was a volunteer at Talbot House in Frenchvale for several years where he earned a service award for his dedication.
Allan loved spending time at the rink! He was the ultimate hockey dad serving as manager for both Trevor and Tyler’s Cape Breton County Minor Hockey teams for several years. He was always on the road, taking the kids to various activities over the years such as swimming, dance, skiing, baseball, football, and rugby. Many will remember the “infamous” Lake Placid, New York Tournament of 1996 for which Allan was instrumental in the organizing and fundraising efforts.
Allan was an avid sports fan who was passionate about the Montreal Canadiens and Expos. He was a wealth of knowledge when it came to sports trivia. As a season ticket holder for the Oilers, Islanders and Eagles franchises since 1988, he could be found cheering on the teams with the crew from section 16. He also enjoyed a good game of crib, Tarabish, 45s and loved to read and do crossword puzzles.
A true family man in every way, Allan was happiest when with his family. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. He will always be remembered for his generosity and kind-hearted nature. He loved getting together and telling stories about his days growing up in Whitney Pier, the good times and the bad. There were many summer vacations to Inverness and some very memorable family trips to Florida, Mexico, Montreal and Boston. Once while on a family vacation to Boston in the summer of ‘89, his skills as the ultimate salesman were on display. Allan was able to make a deal where he swapped old CB Oiler ticket stubs and team calendars in a memorabilia shop for tickets to a sold out Red Sox and Jays game for himself and the family.
Allan is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Mae; children, Amanda, Trevor (Amanda Tarr) and Tyler (Jennifer); grandchildren Devon, Ruby and John. He also is survived by siblings Ron (June), Mary “Sister” Gillis, Bobby (Wilma), Harold (Bettina), Brian (Kaye) and Barry (Joan); mother in law Theresa E. Currie, brothers and sisters in-law Bernie (Donna) Currie, Marie (Tom) Wilson, Kevin Currie, Cecil (Jackie) Currie, Theresa (Mervin) Criss, Angie (Joan) Currie, Clarence (Johanne) Currie, Daniel Currie, Bob Loveys, Dave Clarke and Florie Sullivan; and numerous cousins ,aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Maxine Loveys and Phyllis Clarke, brother-in-law Jimmy “Champ” Gillis, sister-in-law Florence Currie-Plumridge, as well as aunt Mary Rowe and father-in-law Angus J. Currie.
Visitation will be held at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George, Sydney on Thursday, July 28 from 6-9pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 29 at 10am at St. Mary’s Parish East Bay with Fr. Anthony O’Connor officiating. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery. Reception to follow at the East Bay Fire Hall. For those not able to attend, the funeral service will be available via livestream by visiting TW Curry’s facebook page. The family requests that masks be worn at the services. Donations in Allan’s honor may be made to Talbot House- Frenchvale, the St. Mary’s Cemetery fund or a charity of choice. Memories and condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
