Frederick Clarke Rowe

Following a graceful dance with cancer for nearly three years, the quiet, gentle and witty Fred C. Rowe, loving and devoted husband to D.S. Mack MacKenzie died on Saturday, July 29, 2017. He smiled his last gorgeous smile at Bobby’s Hospice in Saint John, NB while in the arms of Mack being sung “Your Song”. Born August 3, 1961 in St. John’s, Newfoundland he is the son of Elizabeth Dorothy Greeley (loving step son to Sid Greeley) of Paradise NL, Stanley Harold “Bud” Rowe of Saint John, NB and the chosen son for fifty years of Louise (Labrosse) Rowe of Shawinigan, PQ.

Fred’s loving family has been eviscerated by their loss but find comfort in his peaceful exit. He was so proud to be a loving big brother to; Sean Rowe of Austin, Texas and sister Michelle Rowe (Brad) of Austin, Texas; he will be remembered as Uncle Freduccinne  (husband of Uncle Mackaroni) to his beautiful nieces and nephews: Shawn, Leela, Ryann, Hannah, Jackson, Natasha, Tara and Rylen. A loving brother in law to Brad Houston, Angela Rowe, David and Sherry MacKenzie and son-in-law to Carole and Nelson MacKenzie.  

Fred was loved by all who knew him at work or at play. His quiet dedication to his community throughout his life was unparalleled by most.  Fred’s interests were diverse and eclectic. He was a member of the Saint John Men’s Chorus, Opera New Brunswick, Saint John YM/YWCA, very active member of PFLAG Canada, Executive Member of Port City Rainbow Pride, GALAXe (Xerox), Skate Canada, AIDS Community Care Montréal, Gilbert and Sullivan Society Halifax, cofounder of the Rainbow Peace March to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and he worked on the Saint John Production of the feature length film “Margaret and Deirdre” where he provided “continuity,” a perfect fit for Fred. Fred loved playing the piano and was grateful to Michelle for her perpetual gift of music when she shipped her piano to Saint John in 2004, he loved music, especially classical music, disco and 70’s music. Fred worked for Xerox Canada in Saint John NB as a process coordinator. Until he started treatment he never missed a sick day of work.

His early childhood years were in St. John’s and Stephenville but his formative years were Montréal and Halifax/Dartmouth NS area. He loved his adopted home of Saint John, NB where he lived the longest duration of his life knowing he could always fly to see family/friends in Ontario, Texas, BC, NS and NL. Fred loved to travel and had a special fondness for passenger rail (sadly accepting that Saint John no longer has passenger rail service). He and Mack had many happy memories of trips to Toronto, Austin, Kelowna, New York City, Niagara Falls, Edmonton, the Great Northern Peninsula, Lac Goulet, Woody Point and the Gaspé Peninsula. Some of the greatest adventures were during his illness where Fred and Mack found great comfort on Deer Island, at Belle Isle, picnicking at Tucker Park, Fort Howe or Rockwood Park as well as visiting every one of the Saint John International Sculpture Symposium works of art in New Brunswick except….Harbour Passage (the closest).  He always welcomed friends and family to visit him in Saint John and was excited when his father moved here two years ago where they saw each other every day.

Fred is additionally survived by: Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Jane Clarke, Cousins: Wade (Nancy), Megan (Kent), Matthew (Meghan), Lloyd, Barry, (Leanne), Nancy (Paul), Suzanne (Mark).
Fred will also be deeply missed by Uncle Fred and Aunt Sandra Rowe, Aunt Mary Martin Rowe, Uncle Bill and Penny Rowe, Cousins: Lisa, Dorian, Toby, Stephanie, Michael, and Caroline, special cousins Wanda (Art) Clarke and Chris Rowe. Several loving uncles, aunts and cousins in the Labrosse family as well as long-time close friends Hector (B slash P) MacQuarrie and Jane (Fluffs) Halliday.

Predeceased by Grandparents: Senator Fred W. Rowe and Edith Rowe, Susie and Josiah Clarke, Uncle George E. Rowe, Uncle Edward Clarke and Aunt Maureen (Nean) Coughlan.

Saint John NB Information: Resting at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB (506-646-2424) with visitations on Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fred’s Celebration of Life will be held from Fundy Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception at Mahogany Manor, 220 Germain Street, Saint John (parking at nearby Interaction Children’s Theatre). Interment of ashes in Fernhill Cemetery, Saint John, NB at a later date.

Friends and family are invited to Dunphy’s Funeral Home, Holyrood, NL (709-229-7905) www.dunphys.ca on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 to pay respects to family. Visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with memorial service to immediately follow.

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