Tomhannock, NY- William R. “Bill” Rowe
Bill passed away peacefully on July 25 with his loving wife and children by his side. Bill was born August 22, 1943, to the late Robert and Eleonore (McCormick) Rowe. Raised in Tomhannock, Bill met his future wife on a “blind date” while home on leave from the army. Following a year of correspondence (via handwritten letters!) and his discharge from the service, the courtship continued until their marriage on September 21, 1968. Upon their marriage, Bill and Judy raised their family in Tomhannock in a home built by him and his father, where they still resided.
Bill was the devoted husband of Judy (Treacy) Rowe for 56 years and beloved father of Robert ‘Bub’ (Melissa) Rowe of Melrose, NY, and Jennifer (David) Collins of Waterville, NY, cherished Papa of the late William F. ‘Mr. Jones’ Rowe, Matthew Rowe of Melrose, and Eleonore and Natalee Collins of Waterville.
In addition to his parents and grandson, Bill was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law,
John and Linda (Lewis) Rowe, and their daughter, Jenny, all of Colorado, his mother and father-in-law, Susan and Jack Treacy, his brother-in-law and sister in-law, John and Beverly Treacy, and his sister-in-law, Patty (Treacy) Hoodack. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Bill is also survived by his nephew, David (Jennifer) of Nevada, and their family, along with his niece, Sharon of Florida, and her family. Also surviving are several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Hoosic Valley High School, Bill then attended Canton Agricultural College (SUNY Canton), followed by three years of active duty in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Bill was employed by the Watervliet Arsenal and then by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (National Grid), where he spent the next 33 years until his retirement in 1999 as Garage Mechanic Foreman. Bill’s pastime included cutting firewood, and for many years, he enjoyed his small independent business - cutting, splitting, and delivering firewood to many families for their heating needs. He also enjoyed attending the many wood shows throughout the northeast.
During his early retirement years, Bill cherished many hours spent with his beloved grandson and sidekick, Will “Mr. Jones” - picking him up from daycare, teaching him all kinds of “ditties”, and just enjoying one another’s company. As Will got older, he learned the firewood business and helped Papa regularly with wood and odd jobs. As more grandchildren were added to the mix, Papa’s heart grew with his love for them, and he had a special bond with each. Matthew became his “hey, you got a minute buddy” and bi-weekly check-in calls whenever he needed a hand or to be picked up out of the snow when his mind told him he could still do something, but his body had other ideas. Papa started Eleonore and Natalee’s love for beef cattle by purchasing them their first Belted Galloway. While as crazy as they come and never able to be shown, this was the start of their project animals, whether they liked it or not, following in Papa’s footsteps, showing animals at county fairs. As they grew, Papa enjoyed watching them play basketball, and, thanks to technology, he was able to watch from the comfort of his recliner. Eleonore is following in Papa’s footsteps once again by pursuing a commission in the U.S. Army, although Papa doesn’t quite approve of her rifle cleaning methods. Natalee was blessed with Papa’s
quick wit and memorization of all his “ditties,” along with a little bit of his stubbornness and the willingness to always help family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at Transfiguration Parish-South Site, 50 Hillview Drive, Speigletown, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 10:00 -11:50 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Resurrection celebrated by Fr. George Fleming beginning at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Burial with military honors will immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Schaghticoke.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the William F. Rowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made at any Broadview Federal Credit Union.
Bill passed away peacefully on July 25 with his loving wife and children by his side. Bill was born August 22, 1943, to the late Robert and Eleonore (McCormick) Rowe. Raised in Tomhannock, Bill met his future wife on a “blind date” while home on leave from the army. Following a year of correspondence (via handwritten letters!) and his discharge from the service, the courtship continued until their marriage on September 21, 1968. Upon their marriage, Bill and Judy raised their family in Tomhannock in a home built by him and his father, where they still resided.
Bill was the devoted husband of Judy (Treacy) Rowe for 56 years and beloved father of Robert ‘Bub’ (Melissa) Rowe of Melrose, NY, and Jennifer (David) Collins of Waterville, NY, cherished Papa of the late William F. ‘Mr. Jones’ Rowe, Matthew Rowe of Melrose, and Eleonore and Natalee Collins of Waterville.
In addition to his parents and grandson, Bill was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law,
John and Linda (Lewis) Rowe, and their daughter, Jenny, all of Colorado, his mother and father-in-law, Susan and Jack Treacy, his brother-in-law and sister in-law, John and Beverly Treacy, and his sister-in-law, Patty (Treacy) Hoodack. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Bill is also survived by his nephew, David (Jennifer) of Nevada, and their family, along with his niece, Sharon of Florida, and her family. Also surviving are several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Hoosic Valley High School, Bill then attended Canton Agricultural College (SUNY Canton), followed by three years of active duty in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Bill was employed by the Watervliet Arsenal and then by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (National Grid), where he spent the next 33 years until his retirement in 1999 as Garage Mechanic Foreman. Bill’s pastime included cutting firewood, and for many years, he enjoyed his small independent business - cutting, splitting, and delivering firewood to many families for their heating needs. He also enjoyed attending the many wood shows throughout the northeast.
During his early retirement years, Bill cherished many hours spent with his beloved grandson and sidekick, Will “Mr. Jones” - picking him up from daycare, teaching him all kinds of “ditties”, and just enjoying one another’s company. As Will got older, he learned the firewood business and helped Papa regularly with wood and odd jobs. As more grandchildren were added to the mix, Papa’s heart grew with his love for them, and he had a special bond with each. Matthew became his “hey, you got a minute buddy” and bi-weekly check-in calls whenever he needed a hand or to be picked up out of the snow when his mind told him he could still do something, but his body had other ideas. Papa started Eleonore and Natalee’s love for beef cattle by purchasing them their first Belted Galloway. While as crazy as they come and never able to be shown, this was the start of their project animals, whether they liked it or not, following in Papa’s footsteps, showing animals at county fairs. As they grew, Papa enjoyed watching them play basketball, and, thanks to technology, he was able to watch from the comfort of his recliner. Eleonore is following in Papa’s footsteps once again by pursuing a commission in the U.S. Army, although Papa doesn’t quite approve of her rifle cleaning methods. Natalee was blessed with Papa’s
quick wit and memorization of all his “ditties,” along with a little bit of his stubbornness and the willingness to always help family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at Transfiguration Parish-South Site, 50 Hillview Drive, Speigletown, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 10:00 -11:50 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Resurrection celebrated by Fr. George Fleming beginning at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Burial with military honors will immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Schaghticoke.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the William F. Rowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made at any Broadview Federal Credit Union.
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