Wayne Oliver Rowe, Sr., 83, of Lovers Lane Road in Charlestown, died Tuesday afternoon, July 1, 2008 at the Springfield Hospital.

He was born in Charleston, VT on May 26, 1925 the son of Frank E. and Elgie (Alexander) Rowe, Sr.  He had resided in Charlestown since 1955 and had previously lived in Newport, VT.

He was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Army. He was a Sergeant and received the Purple Heart.

Mr. Rowe retired in 1987 from Bryant Grinder Corp. where he worked as a machinist and assembler for thirty-six years.

He was a communicant of St Catherine of Siena Church and enjoyed golfing, dining out and traveling.

The surviving family includes his wife, Ida Rebecca (Chaput) Rowe of Charlestown whom he married on May 27, 1945; two sons, Rene C. Rowe of Charlestown and Wayne O. Rowe, Jr. of Milton, VT; three daughters, Joanne R. Brown of Springfield, VT, Sandra V. Tremblay of Hooksett and Judy E. Kinney of Claremont; 17 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins.   He was pre-deceased by one son, Albert Ernest Rowe, Sr.; two brothers Alfred Rowe and Frank E. Rowe and two sisters, Orpha Ellis and Ethel Bennett.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Monday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning, July 8th at Ten O’clock in St Catherine of Siena Church with Rev. Father Michael E. Gendron, Pastor, officiating.

Interment with full military honors provided by the Charlestown Memorial VFW Post #8497 and the Fall Mt JROTC, will follow in St Catherine of Siena Cemetery.