Brian J. Rowe graduated from Morse High School in Bath‚ Maine‚ and immediately enlisted in the US Navy. He served in Vietnam and the Merchant Marines.
He was a deputy sheriff and dispatcher for eight years in Sagadahoc County‚ where he received an award from the Brunswick/Bath Area Emergency Medical Services for assisting a babysitter in CPR of an infant child. Brian served with the Woolwich Fire Department for 19 years‚ where he was the assistant chief. He served for 12 years with the West Forks Fire Department‚ including four years as chief.
He was the president of the local snowmobile club‚ Nequasset Trail Breakers. He was also a Maine Master Guide‚ president of the Forks Area Fish & Game Club‚ and a security officer at Bath Ironworks. He loved the outdoors‚ hunting and fishing‚ and he guided hundreds of overnight trips on the Kennebec River.
Brian was a father of three‚ grandfather of four‚ and was known to play Santa Claus on occasion. (He was found out by his granddaughter‚ Sadie.) He took his grandson‚ Wyatt‚ turkey hunting‚ and the grandson slept through the whole thing‚ even the noise of the box call. Brian would take the kids out of school every year‚ one at a time‚ to bond with them each individually‚ hunting mostly.
Brian died in 2010 in the line of duty‚ responding to a snowmobiling accident in The Forks‚ where he lived.
He is survived by his loving wife‚ Judy; his three children‚ Michael‚ Lonny‚ and Crystal; and his four grandchildren‚ Sadie‚ Wyatt‚ Cash‚ and Boyd.
Remembrance
Dad didn’t set out to be a hero,
he just did what he thought was right.
He answered the call whenever it came, and that’s what led to that fateful night.
It’s been nearly a year
since he left home with no fear
to help a stranger in need.
Though he left us that night,
and has not returned.
I am at peace because It’s a rest well earned.
I followed his footsteps to answer the call, it’s something I do with pride.
No matter the place, the time or the call, I believe Dad is by my side.
When it comes to my soon three son’s, I will tell them when the time is right.
The story of their Grandpa,
and how he left us a hero that night.
In memory of Fire Chief Brian Rowe
Captain Lonny Rowe
– Lonny Rowe