OBITUARY: Willard Brown Rowell, Sr.
DATELINE: Fairfax / Highgate Falls, Vermont Mr. Willard Brown Rowell, Sr., age 84 years, died Sunday afternoon March 13, 2011, in the Northwestern Medical Center with loving family at his side.
A native of Albany, Vermont, Mr. Rowell has lived many years in the Fairfax community and following a stroke made his home with family in Highgate Falls.
Born in Albany, Vermont on July 10, 1926, he was the son of the late Enoch John Rowell, I and Mildred (Brown) Rowell. He graduated high school from Craftsbury Academy and later attended Champlain College. On October 20, 1951, he married the former Mary Patricia McGue who survives him.
Mr. Rowell faithfully served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was assigned as a frontline infantryman in both the battle that took Berlin, West Germany as well as the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and received his honorable discharge on July 31, 1946. Locally he was a member of the American Legion, Green Mountain Post 1 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Robert Glidden Post 758 of Saint Albans.
Following his discharge from the Army Mr. Rowell worked construction building the New York State Thruway. He later owned and operated a dairy farm in Albany for many years while at the same time working construction on Midwestern oil and gas pipelines. In more recent years, he along with his sons operated Green Mountain Forest Products, a large wood chipping operation based out of Highgate. In earlier years he was a founding member and past chief of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department. He was much attuned to State, National and International Politics, He enjoyed working with heavy equipment, loved cars and riding; and was especially known for his willingness to help anyone in need.
In addition to his wife Mary of nearly 60 years, Mr. Rowell leaves his six children, Bill and Nancy (Rollins) Rowell of Highgate, Brian and Tammy (Pilbin) Rowell of Highgate, Steven and Carmie (Maietta) Rowell of Hinesburg, Jane (Rowell) and Chuck Fisher of Irasburg, Carolyn (Rowell) and Stephen Powers of Anderson, SC and John and Tina (Reicker) Rowell of Saint John’s New Brunswick, Canada; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Andrew); Matthew and Megan; Michael, Anthony, Emily (Jenoah) and Anna; Patricia (Nathan); Jennifer, Kristina, Joshua and Jenna; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Xavier, Landon, Derek; one brother, Phillip (Carolyn) Rowell of Albany as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a sister, Pauline Goodwin and a brother, Enoch Rowell II.
Mr. Rowell’s family would like to offer their “sincerest thanks” to the staff of the Northwestern Medical Center, the members of Missisquoi Valley Rescue, Franklin County Home Health and those dedicated caregivers at his home for all of their care, compassion and support.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday March 17, 2011, at 7 p.m. from The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton. Pastor Bruce Patterson will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 p.m. until the hour of the funeral.
Funeral Services will also be held Friday March 18, 2011, at 11 a.m. from The Albany United Methodist Church with the Reverend Nathan Strong officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. Interment with military honors will take place in the spring at the Rowell family lot in the Albany Village Cemetery. Arrangements in Albany are under the direction of the M.R. Davis Funeral Home of Craftsbury Common.
Gifts in Mr. Rowell’s memory may be made to, Missisquoi Valley Rescue, P.O. Box 22, Swanton 05488 or to the charity of your choice.
To offer private online condolences please visit:
www.kiddermemorialhome.com
