Dwayne Wade Rowe

ROWE- 

Dwayne was born in the Battle River Hospital in what is now the town of Manning, Alberta. As he described in the book he co-authored with Hal C. Sisson, Coots, Codgers and Curmudgeons, he grew up in northern Alberta during the 1940’s and 50’s believing Nabob was coffee and Velveeta was cheese.

He graduated with a BA-LLB from the University of Alberta in 1963, articled with Hal Sisson and practiced law in Peace River until 1969, before moving to Edmonton. He was appointed a Provincial Judge at the age of 32 but returned to practice law for 5 years in Calgary. He then served as a Territorial/Provincial Judge, and a Deputy Judge of the Tax Court of Canada before retiring at age 75.

While living in Sidney by the sea, Dwayne and his beloved Roseanne fished from canoes and sailed a lovely 30-foot boat named The Gypsy Rose. Dwayne was an avid cyclist who rode an average of 5000 kilometres a year on his trusty Norco bikes. He was a long-time member of the OFCC (Old Farts Cycling Coalition) in Sidney which had no membership list, rules, or official status. Dwayne encourages its members to gather in his memory and exchange their traditional useless information according to the group’s credo: “ain’t nothing to learn here.”

Dwayne was a devoted caregiver to Roseanne who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and died in 2019. He then moved to Maple Creek, Saskatchewan where he was easily recognizable as the man who rode his bike nearly every day in spring, summer, and fall. He was a faithful member of Maple Creek United Church and consumer of Saskatoon Berry pie at Grotto Gardens.

After experiencing a heart attack on the last day of 2020, Dwayne battled illness until his peaceful and pain-free passing in May 2021. He has joined his loved ones gone on before, including his parents Paul and Nan, beloved cousins/siblings Brian and Peggy and their parents, and angelic granddaughter Rachel. Near the end, he declared his intention to join his beloved Roseanne for morning coffee.

Dwayne is survived by his children Allan (Kerrie); Michele (Dale); Debbie; Denise (Trevor); grandchildren Tyler, Genesis, Shae, Natalie/Aleks, Nicole, Ryan, and Alex. He was the proud great-grandfather of Zack, Jordan, Rhys, Michaela, and Isla. Among those closest to his heart are his beloved Nord cousins and their families. Dwayne was a great and faithful friend to many and will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 12th at 2 pm (Saskatchewan time) at Binkley’s Funeral Home in Maple Creek, with Minister Carolyn Conarroe presiding. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook, with a link available on this page.

If you wish, donations in his honour may be made to Maple Creek United Church or Our Place in Victoria.    

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