LEWISTON – Paul J. Dowe Sr., of Turner, died at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston on April 13, surrounded by the comfort of his family.

He was born in Brookline, Mass., Nov. 17, 1921, the son of Katherine Arata. He was raised by his loving parents, Edgar and Ina Dowe. He graduated from Cony High School in Augusta in 1940 and the University of Maine in 1948. While at the University of Maine, he met Marguerite (Peg) Googins, whom he was married to for 56 years.

During his years at the university, he was manager of the baseball teams, drummer in the University Jazz Band, a member of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity and a member of the Senior Skulls. His love of music was always a part of his life, as he played the drums for several of Maine’s popular dance bands for over three decades.

He worked for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service for nearly 40 years as an extension agent. In 1961, in Washington, D.C., he was presented the District Service Award by the National Association of County 4-H Club Agents. He initiated the Open Air market and the 4-H Lamb Sale and Auction, which encouraged Maine businesses to buy lamb to help 4-H’ers pay for their college education.

In his work he most enjoyed working with 4-H Club leaders and youth primarily in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties. For his work on behalf of 4-H members and their animals, he was honored by the Eastern States Exposition.

In 1987, he was named Agriculture Man-of-the Year by the Skowhegan Fair Association. He was an active fundraiser for the Pine Tree 4-H Foundation. His love of the University of Maine was reflected in his volunteer role as head of the Alumni Association in Androscoggin County for many years. For his service and commitment to the University he was awarded the Block “M” and the Black Bear Award.

He had many interests, but none more than his family. His children, their spouses, his grandchildren and his great-granddaughter have all been very active in many things and he enjoyed every minute of it.

He was an avid sportsman and spent countless hours fishing the lakes and ponds of Maine, hunting for deer, skiing nearly all the ski slopes of Maine and once a year for many years water-skiing “just once around” Pleasant Pond in Turner.

Golf and sailing were also passions of his. He was a junior caddie at the Augusta Country Club and a member of Martindale Country Club in Auburn. Later in life he discovered sailing and spent many years with his sailing buddies exploring Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay aboard the “Myriad”.

He was also a gentleman farmer and raised everything from chickens to goats to pigs to sheep to horses. As a young man, he fell in love with horses and for nearly all of his life rode and raised horses. His deep interest in helping people could be seen in his organization of the Dollars for Scholars Program which provided worthy students with grants for college. Also, he and several of his friends quietly organized Christmas giving for needy children in Turner. He was a member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary for over 20 years and a member of the Nezinscot Lodge of Masons.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his son, P. James Dowe Jr. and his wife, Susan and their son, Paul James Dowe III of Bangor and their daughters, Caitlin Dowe-Sandes and her husband, Samuel of Los Angeles, Calif., Erika Dowe Fitzgerald and her husband, Matt and his great-granddaughter, Sadie James Fitzgerald of Edward, Colo.; his daughters, Ann Fairchild and her husband, Bill and their children, Thomas Paul and Samantha Erin of Monmouth and Mary Turcotte and her husband, Christopher of Pownal; many friends, including his godchild, Calix Peter (Terry) Blouin of Portland; and a special relative, Theresa Judkins of East Winthrop. His friendships had no boundaries and he will be forever remembered by all.