Good afternoon, colleagues. Today is going to be a very difficult time for myself as I say goodbye to a friend, who has been a big part of my family's life. Whether it was a boss to my son, bus driver for my kids, sponsor of numerous events and trips for the youth of the community, key driver of sport programs, businessman, you name it. Pat was that person.
Pat was born September 20, 1959, in Fairview, Alberta to John and Anne Rowe. Early on in his life, the family moved north to Hay River and this is when I first met the family. Finally in 1971, the family moved to Fort Simpson. Pat joined the navy in 1977 and travelled the world. During this time, he met Sandra, and they had two wonderful children, Becky and Michael. In 1983, Pat returned to Fort Simpson, where he started and grew P.R. Contracting into a successful business. As well, Pat was instrumental in helping improve the village of Fort Simpson's fire department. If this was not enough, he would be seen volunteering for the curling club, golf course, and supporting the community events wherever he could. Colleagues, I would like to share a couple of stories here today.
As people said, he had a big heart. I could tell you he hired a tenyearold boy to work for him. My son was looking for a job but didn't know where to go and how to get one. I gave him a couple ideas and options of who he could ask, and he said that he would have to be there to go there by 8:20 in the morning. My son thought about it and decided to ask P.R. Contracting for a job. He got up early, asked me to drop him off at the shop and he would go from there. About 8:40, my son showed up to my office. I asked him how it went. He looked at me and said Pat doesn't show up until 9 o'clock, why did you get me up so early? After chatting with me, he took off to see Pat and that July morning, he started working for him. I have to say he spent the last at least 10 to 12 years working for that company and we much appreciate this mentorship.
Pat had a habit of telling stories, and you would think there was no way this happened or it had; it was that bad. A mutual friend told me that he was a storyteller but not the way you would think. As she explained, he would stretch the truth a bit. As I explained to her, that's how a storyteller operates. She said no, he downplays the situation as people wouldn't believe the truth. I laughed about her comment but didn't think about it anymore until I was a trip with him.
I can tell you it was a very interesting trip. However about a month later, he was telling someone about it. After the story was finished, I looked at him and I said man, I wish it was that good. Like most people in your life, we all have some amazing stories and I don't have enough time to tell you more. Therefore, I would like to have the rest of my speech deemed as read. I can tell you his passing left a huge hole in the community and the life of his family and friends. He will be sadly missed.
(Deemed Read)
It's difficult to explain in words the life of Pat Rowe. He can be described as a presence or role model; someone you want to be around and be like. He was liked, loved, respected, and is sorely missed by all that knew him. Whether you loved or disagreed with him you most likely respected him. He was often a source of wisdom and guidance and sometimes pure stubbornness.
Pat can be described in three categories: Family, Friend, and Community. All these areas he was extremely passionate about and defined most of what he was.
Family:
Family was always #1 for Pat, he never missed an opportunity to brag about the accomplishments his children, grandchildren, or nieces. No matter what was happening in his life he always took the time to call and congratulate when good news reached his ears, and let you know he was proud of you or happy for you. He could also be counted on to share any good news that came his way, sometimes if only to a cab driver in Edmonton because he wasn't allowed to share yet.
Pat never missed a celebration, milestone, or event. Whether it was stopping in for a quick coffee, planning a tow to be in a certain place at a certain time, or flying to another country Pat always showed up when it was within his power to do so. NO matter the personal cost, broken ribs, and all.
Story from his brother Perry:
Not a lot of people know this, but Anne and Connie were the ones who sent Pat out on his first ever roadside assistance back in the 80s.
It was Christmas, and Rick had not made it into Fort Simpson from Hay River at the expected time. So, the girls sent Pat, along with his swamper Perry, out on the Highway to find him. In true Rowe fashion, no road trip is complete without a stop at the store to get some road “pops”. Needless to say, Pat and Perry had a most enjoyable trip to Hay River without seeing Rick at all.
When they arrived in Hay, they called back to let the girls know they did not see Rick. To their surprise, Rick answered the phone. He was less than impressed, especially since he had hit the ditch, and had watched them drive straight by him talking and laughing without even checking the ditch line. Rick let them know firmly that he wished he had a 30-30 at the time so he could take out their tires!!
Well, with Rick safe, there was nothing left to do in Hay, except hit the store for more road pops and head back to Simpson. Pat and Perry clocked about 10 hours on their adventure, we’re still not sure who paid that bill!
Friends:
Where do you start? Pat had a way of drawing people in. You couldn't help but be pulled to him. A natural storyteller. He held captive anyone who was near to hear, and this enticed them to get to know him better. Once you sat and had a chat with Pat you were hooked. He was always kind to strangers, often joking with whomever he ran into, front desk clerks, waiters or store clerks all fell for his charm and for that he was always remembered and treated as a valued friend when he returned.
He was as loyal to his friend as he was to his family, and in many ways his friends were his family. This is evident by the crowd gathered here today and the sorrow in which we all share. But Pat wouldn't want us to be sad but to be kind to one another and to support each other. Words that he lived by were "be kind to your people, you are nothing without people." These words were passed to him by his father and have been his motto for most of his life. Many of his friendships were built though a mutual love for hunting. Pats hunting stories were always adventure movie quality. He shared stories from his cabin in the mountains, up high on a plateau, or from in a boat on the river, each one as captivating as the one before. Pat was known as a good shot but the truth was, he was an excellent shot, and if the stories are to be believed he didn't miss.
Community:
Not 2nd or 3rd to family and friends, but equal was his love for his community. Pat never failed to step up and help the community in any way he could. He donated countless hours to the fire department, participated in emergency measures planning and during the recent flood, while battling cancer, on chemotherapy he showed up every day and donated his shop as a base for the fire department. After the flood Pat and his company provided garbage bins and removal to help with the cleanup.
Not only a firefighter also a volunteer and supporter of youth activities throughout the years. You may remember his starring roles in the annual skate carnivals, or seen him on the sidelines cheering his children and nieces on, or as the goofy bus driver taking the kids all over the country so that they could have the opportunities to experience new adventures and grow in their skills.
Pat was very much about youth. The first grade six trip involved him using a school bus. However, after that trip he was able to track down a coach, for the next year trip. Then he got another one, so youth from the community could travel down south for sporting events. As Shane tells, he did not do it for the money, because the first question he would ask was how much you have and then you went from there. This coach service expanded to other communities and lasted over 15 years.
He was often referred to as Uncle Pat and is part of many fond memories, I'm sure.
Pat also helped to grow curling in Fort Simpson, often recruiting new curlers and keeping the sport alive, he was part of the NWT Fire Fighter
Team for years and was part of the 2004 team when they achieved a perfect 8 ender! He was also one of the first sponsors of the 7 Spruce
golf course donating time and equipment to help lay the foundation of the course we see today. He would often golf and curl in out of town events, in 2006 in Fort Smith he also shot a hole in one! Regardless where he was, he could be counted on to bring the good time with him, and of course, making more lifelong friends in the process.
No matter how you met Pat you most likely share in our sorrow at the loss of a great man, a strong fighter, and a loving friend. We can all learn from the life of Pat Rowe. We can learn to be kind, to enjoy and celebrate all of life's moments, to hold our friends and family close and to show up whenever you can. I will leave you with some words by Carrie Hamilton:
“Our legacy is really the lives we touch, the inspiration we give, altering someone's plan - if even for a moment - and getting them to think, cry, laugh, argue. More than anything, we are remembered for our smiles.
The ones we share with our closest and dearest, and the ones we bestow on a total stranger, who needed it right then, and God put you there to deliver.”
Rest easy P.R you will be missed
Pat Rowe has had a huge impact during his 40 years on the Ft Simpson FD.
Bit of history:
The Dept was established in 1963 and Pat joined in April 1983 when he returned to Ft Simpson after 6 years in the navy.
In his first week he stated the dept had 5 working fires. Pat could exaggerate a little at times but even if it was 3 or 4 that is a lot ):
In those days, equipment was limited. 1 fire truck and old backup truck. There were just 2 bays in the fire hall.
In 1989 when I joined there were still just 2 trucks with 2 bays and for breathing apparatus there were just 2 of them as well. There were still a few long coats and hip boots still around as well. But Pat had his own bunker gear that he “borrowed” from his firefighting days in the navy. You will see in some of the pictures he has very light-coloured gear compared to others as it was from the navy.
In the early 90’s the FD had a keen group of firefighters that wanted to do more:
More training
Better equipment – more breathing apparatus
Vehicle Ex
Pat was a big part of that drive
1994 Gerry McCowan retired after about 20 years as chief, and Pat became chief. Under Pat, the department advanced their skills further and moved into more offensive operations. – going inside.
1998 The FD took over ambulance operations. Initially about 120-140 calls per year. Ambulance call load slowly increased until 2021 when 337 ambulance dispatches were recorded. Fortunately, the Last few years calls have declined, but are still significantly higher than the early years.
2004 Pat received the Queens Exemplary Service Medal for outstanding service.
2006 was the year of the FD “misunderstanding”. As the result of a $75 bill for snow removal Pat had resigned and things snowballed rapidly until the village council was removed and an administrator took over. After that the Village seemed willing to give us anything we asked for.
2010 we received a new Pierce Pumper at the FD. This pumper was Pats pride and joy. To this day that truck is still a great piece of equipment that any dept in the world would be proud to own.
2012 Pat steps down as chief and I was “lucky enough” to take over that role. Pat stayed on as Deputy Chief until his retirement in 2023 after 40 years. The FD is only 62 years old now.
2013 Pat started his battle with brain cancer. Unfortunately, cancer rates among FF is significantly higher than that of the general public. WSCC has put in place presumptive legislation for compensating firefighters who develop cancer.
Pat often talked about how he’d be coughing and spitting up “black stuff” for days after a fire. In those days with limited airway protection is is not surprising. Also it was a badge of honour to have the dirtiest darkest bunker gear in the hall. Little die we realize that this badge was a heavy concentration of carcinogenic materials. Fortunately, the fire service has evolved a lot to reduce (not remove) this threat.
Pat was a great leader. He always led by example.
As an ambulance attendant he was an amazing caregiver. He was calm and cool and was fantastic at keeping his patients comfortable and relaxed as well. He had that special gift that not many people have at their disposal.
Pat was part of the GNWT core team that completed 11 or 12 weeks of training over about a year to get their 10.01 professional level fire training. As Pat was a private contractor, he took leave from his business to complete this training. It was a huge financial cost to himself and his company. Pat felt this was important to help move training ahead for himself, the FSVFD and the region as Pat travelled to other communities to help them as well.
When doing research for his WSCC claim we found that from 1999 -2013 Pat did 617 ambulance calls, 300 fire meeting and 114 fire calls. He would have done a few hundred more fire calls and rescues prior to this in his early career.
Pat went to National Firefighter curling 8 times. As a team we scored an 8 ender (like a hole in one in golf) against Quebec in Quebec
In the past we had an air raid siren to signify a fire. The siren would go, we’d respond to the hall and then hopefully figure where we were going. A few weeks before I was married the siren went off, we all jumped in the backup truck where we would dress enroute… scarry really and headed out of town. We ended up at Gerry McCowans ranch and had a little party to celebrate my getting married.
When Tyler was doing records for the FD 60th year last year he discovered that there had been over 250 members had passed through the FSVFD during Pats 40 years.
Over my lifetime — and especially the last two decades — I was blessed to have a wingman of sorts. A constant source of encouragement and support. A logical and authentic sounding board and my mentor from firefighting to truck-driving — and oh, do we have stories!
Of course, there has also been a significant amount of cutting sarcasm and pokes at my expense — that duty bestowed upon him by his late father in 1988. In the mix of cruising around Simpson, craft Saturdays, ice road crossings, bus excursions, winter road phone calls, emergency calls, hospital stays, and as many visits as we could coordinate, we did have some serious conversations about life; what ifs and what shoulds, reflections and regrets.
He called me in March, to chat one last time. At the end of our conversation, he said “Well Liss, I’m going to have to ask you to look after the girls again”. I’m not sure what my initial reaction was other than tears. I know I said I didn’t want to do it without him… we said our goodbyes, and within 15 minutes he texted me saying he just bid a job for $6,666.66.
Then I thought, two decades ago the stakes were higher. The girls and I were much younger (and not near as wise as we are today, I’m sure) we were preparing to leave our little Simpson bubble once high school was done. So many changes and adventures were in store for us. And now, I look at them in their mid-thirties, and I remember John, Connie, Anne, and Pat and I think… I wonder who does more of the looking after — me of them, or them of me?
As today unfolds exactly as it should, with a coming together of so many friends and family of Pat’s, I’m a little sad to not be there with everyone to celebrate this great man, but I’m blessed to have been woven into the family in all the ways that I have. We will carry on with our memories and make many more together.
Here’s to PR.
I still feel this statement does not do him justice. However, how can you try to cover 65 years of a person life.
Pat passed away peacefully in his home (as he wanted to) on April 26, 2024, after an eleven-year battle with cancer.
Pat is survived by his partner Lee Scobie, children Rebecca (Kevin) and Michael (Melanie) grandchildren Jason and Jaina, brothers Perry (Jacky) and Rick, nieces Keri-Ann and Jessie, brother in law Ernie and countless cousins and close friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents (John and Anne) and sister (Connie).
