Obituary of Andrew Clarke Gow

Andrew Clarke Gow 95 of Bridgewater passed away peacefully on Saturday September 21, 2013 in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. Born on September 11, 1918 in Bridgewater he was a son of the late Walter and Jean (Clarke) Gow. Andrew was a member, and very active in the Bridgewater Baptist Church as a past Sunday school teacher, teaching ages 11 and 12, and then ages 16 plus; past Moderator Church Business meetings for many years. Andrew was also past chairman of the church finance committee for over 20 years; past chairman of the Board of Trustees for 6 years; past chairman for the Board of Deacons for 7 years; past vice chairman for the Board of Management for 6 years, and then sat as a member of the Board of Management in 1994. Andrew was also chairman of the Housing Authority, then known as the Lunenburg County Regional Housing Authority, and now known as the South Shore Housing Authority for 28 years. Andrew received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, from the Governor of Canada in 1992 for recognition of his community service. He was a Kinsmen Charter Member, and past President of the Kinsmen Club of Bridgewater, and past Governor Kinsmen District No. 7 (4 Atlantic Provinces) and a life member of Kin Canada. He received a key to the city of Charlottetown PEI in 1995, as Kinsmen District Governor and founding member of K40. Andrew was also past President of the Bridgewater Board of Trade, Bridgewater Curling Club, and the South Shore Community Concerts Association. A life member of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce, and an honorable member of the Bridgewater Curling Club. Past Chairman of the Annuity-Finance Board of the United Baptist Convention of Atlantic Provinces for 7 years. He was a Lieutenant in the Canadian Army, and North Nova from November 3, 1941 to February 2, 1946, including 3 years overseas from December 14, 1942 to December 31, 1945. Andrew was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #24, Bridgewater. He was a Life Insurance Broker since October 6 1939 representing Great-West Life Assurance Co; Chartered Life Underwriter since 1954, and General Insurance Broker for 54 years to August 1 1995. He is survived by his sons Richard A. (Coral), Greenfield; Robert W. (Betty), Dayspring; grandsons, Kacey (Kait), Ryan, Walter (Wally), a granddaughter Hillary Wentzell; great grandchildren, Noah, Ophelia, Cormac, Veronica, and Abigail; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Phyllis (nee Martin); Brothers Frank, Walter, Kenneth, Donald, a sister Jean Fielding, niece Rev. Patricia Gow, nephew John Gow. He was devoted to his family and community, and will be sadly missed. A funeral service will be held Friday September 27th at 1pm at the Bridgewater Baptist Church, Bridgewater. Rev. Norman Hovland officiating. Private family burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Andrews’s memory may be made to the Bridgewater Baptist Church Building Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.