Obituary of Robert Dow

Dow, Robert Charles Sr., 80, of Fredericton, passed away at York Care Centre on Monday, July 9, 2012. Born on July 19, 1931 in Kingsclear, York County, NB, he was a son of the late Harold Saunders Dow and Emma Marguerite (Currie) Dow McFadzen. Bob was proud of his 36 year military career at CFB Gagetown. He was known to be the longest serving member of the Driving and Maintenance Squadron. He served tours of duty in Germany, Cyprus, The Golan Heights and in Tadoussac, Quebec during the FLQ crisis. He enjoyed travelling and upon retirement, visited many countries such as Panama, Mexico, Germany, The Netherlands and Norway. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished athlete. Prior to joining the forces, Bob was a well known boxer and hockey player. He was a member of the first post war boxing team for the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He played on several hockey teams during his life, in particular, the Armour School and the RCAF Oldtimers. He coached Little League Baseball and the first all female hockey team in Fredericton, umpired Minor Baseball and refereed for the Youth Hockey Officials Association. He was also a leader for the 3rd Fredericton Wolf Cub Pack. During his retirement years, he volunteered in many capacities at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #4 in Fredericton. He considered the Legion his "home" where he felt the most at ease among his friends. "Bobby" as he was affectionately known, had his own barstool there, marked by a special engraved nameplate where he regularly sat to enjoy a beer (or two!) and The Daily Gleaner. He was a lover of animals, children and dancing. He adored his siamese cat "Oley." He loved to spend time with children and especially enjoyed visiting the orphanages in the Middle East where he served as a peacekeeper in 1979. As a young man, he entered many dance competitions in Saint John. He continued to enjoy "going to the dance" throughout his lifetime and offered many a nurse the chance to "cut a rug" with him at the York Care Centre. He was an adherent of Christ Church (Parish) Church and a layman for many years. Bob is survived by two daughters, Linda Dow Yorke of Truro, NS and Shelley Dow of Fredericton, NB; former wife, Nancy Dow Arnold of Fredericton, NB; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Whitty) Dow of Durham Bridge, NB; brother, Gerald Dow of Burton, NB; sister, Lorna Bemrose of Fredericton, NB; granddaughter, Kate Dow MacNeil (Steve) of St. Albert, AB; three grandsons, Alexander, Maxwell and Nicholas; great grandson, Joseph, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son, Robert “Robby” Charles Dow Jr.; great granddaughter, Solaira Beverly Dawn MacNeil and brother, Dalton. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB on Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 1 pm until service time at 2 pm officiated by Archdeacon John T. Sharpe. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4 are asked to assemble at the funeral home on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 2 pm for a Legion Tribute Service. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Oromocto SPCA, Childhood Cancer Canada (childhoodcancer.ca) or the Alzheimer Society of NB. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com A very special thank you to the nurses and staff at York Care Centre for the wonderful love and compassion shown towards our dad during the past four years.