It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Bill Armstrong Gowe
November 8, 1927 - March 22, 2015
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Family Tree Contribute
<div itemprop="description">Bill Armstrong Gowe <br />On Sunday, March 22nd, with paints, palette, brushes and canvas secure below and a breeze ruffling the mainsail, Bill set course toward a new and distant horizon and quietly slipped away. Bill passed away peacefully at home with his much loved family by his side. Born in Winnipeg Manitoba on November 8th 1927 he lived for several years in the suburb of St. Boniface, later moving to Toronto and then to Clarkson, Ontario. After public school (Port Credit High School) Bill attended The Ontario College of Art where he continued to develop his talents in drawing and working with various art media such as water colours, oils, acrylics, chalk etc. He was primarily an excellent marine artist, which much of his work will attest, and reflected another great passion; sailing. From a very young age, Bill had an innate love for boats and sailing. As a boy his idea of complete joy was spending every available hour in and around boats and boatyards and as he grew up he became an avid sailor. Bill was a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club for many years and sailed or crewed in many Regattas on Lake Ontario. He also sailed in many international ocean races such as the South Ocean Racing Circuit, Block Island and Nantucket races; he also sailed in the 1960 Newport- Bermuda yacht race on the Canadian built boat &ldquo;Innisfree&rdquo;. With his brothers, Loran and Ralph, Bill was employed in his father&rsquo;s printing business, Commonwealth Advertizing. As sales manager, Bill travelled all across his beloved country, Canada, memorizing every nook and cranny through which he passed. As the old saying goes, he knew Canada &ldquo;like the back of his hand!!!&rdquo; Bill was very proud of his country and knew her history completely. Bill will be best remembered for his sunny disposition (You're never fully dressed without a smile!!) his great sense of humour, and his love of music such as light opera, &ldquo;big bands&rdquo;, Dixieland jazz, and musicals such as Show boat, The Girl Friend and many more. He was blessed with a phenomenal memory (world history, geography, literature, art, everything!!!) and a deep love of family. He was a devoted, loving husband and friend to Bonnie (Boniface) for 53 years and the proud and loving father of sons, Neil (Alison) and Ian(Liza) He very much loved and derived great pleasure from his grandchildren, Charlie, Paige, Amelie, Cole, Oliver and Mattie. But mostly, Bill will be remembered for the wonderful caring man that he was and how he was loved and admired by so many who knew him. He will live on in our hearts forever. A Celebration of Bill&rsquo;s Life will take place at Dodsworth &amp; Brown Funeral Home, in Burlington, on Thursday April 2nd at 2:30pm followed by a reception at 3:30pm. Bill&rsquo;s family would also like to thank the doctors and nursing staff of Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, the team at CCAC and the St Elizabeth, Revera and Acclaim Nursing and Personal Home Care staff. The care which Bill received from the above mentioned services was all the very best that Bill and his family could have received. We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, 2 Lansing Square, Suite 804, Toronto, ON M2J 4P8 would be appreciated by the family.<br />&ldquo;With our love as your compass, you will reach a sweeter, gentler place.&rdquo;<br /><br /></div>