PORTLAND — Paul James “Jimmy” Dowe Jr., 64, died Sunday, June 23, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Augusta, to Paul and Marguerite “Peg” Dowe. Jim grew up in Turner on a small gentleman’s farm. He graduated from Leavitt Institute, completed a post-graduate year at the Kent’s Hill School, and then attended the University of Vermont, where he was awarded a football scholarship. He earned a BA degree in teaching from the University of Maine in 1972.

Jim had recently returned from Kenya, where he and his wife, JoAnn were volunteers for The Nature Conservancy and the Northern Rangelands Trust, living on Lewa Conservancy, a private wildlife preserve in Northern Kenya.

Prior to his departure in September 2012 for Kenya, Jim led The Good Shepard Food-Bank, as interim president. Jim was president and CEO of Maine Public Broadcasting Network from 2006 until 2012, where he skillfully guided the network through a difficult period following the financial collapse of 2008.

Prior to MPBN, Jim worked for Bangor Savings Bank and served as president, CEO and trustee for 10 years, helping transform the community bank into the largest locally owned bank in Maine. While there, he established the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, which supports educational, cultural and philanthropic organizations around the state. Before leading Bangor Savings Bank, he held the position of president and CEO at Bath Savings Institution from 1986 until 1995, earning him the distinction of being the youngest bank president in the state’s history.

He served the banking industry in many capacities; as chairman of the Maine Association of Community Banks and as a director of America’s Community Bankers. In his role as a banker, Jim worked tirelessly to grow business but was equally passionate about helping people in Maine start businesses, buy houses and save for their children’s education and retirement. He was a true humanitarian. In 2003, Mainebiz recognized Dowe as the 2003 Business Leader of the Year.

Active in community affairs, Jim served on the Board of Directors of the Action Committee of 50, the Creative Economy Council, LAEGC, the Board of Trustees of Eastern Maine Medical Center, a member of the East/West Highway Committee, Chair of the Maine Development Foundation, Director of Maine Community Foundation, Trustee of the Maine Maritime Museum, Trustee of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Sweetser, Bangor Mechanic Association, The Penobscot River Association, The Nature Conservancy, Bangor Hydro, The University of Maine, and the Leavitt Institute. Jim had many philanthropic activities.

Jim was keenly interested in people, and he enjoyed making meaningful connections with whomever he met. He always took the time to ask family, friends, business associates and even strangers about their lives. He loved his family and was extremely proud of his three children, Caitlin, Erika and PJ. He was a devoted grandfather to Sadie, Maddox and Gigi, and was affectionately known as “Bubba.” He was very close with his two sisters, Mary and Ann.

Jim was happiest when the activities were stacked up one after the other. He loved a wide range of outdoor activities, was an excellent athlete, avid skier, loved the arts, music and travel. He reached the summit of Mt Katahdin for the first time in 2010. He was a biker (motorcycle) and took many trips with friends in Maine and abroad. Music was a part of his life from childhood, and while living in Bangor, had played rhythm guitar with his friends from the RetroRockerz, a popular oldies band. He preferred to be in the background strumming, but did add his mellow voice to the crowd pleaser, “Margaritaville.”

Jim lived on Portland’s East end and with JoAnn, and enjoyed the local eateries, art walks, gardening, concerts, boating in Casco Bay, motorcycle cruising, trail walks with their dogs, kayaking, mountain biking, dance lessons, yoga and Qi Gong. They had traveled to Quebec, Peru, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the west and east U.S. coasts, and lastly, Kenya. Their plan going forward had been to continue to volunteer in a meaningful way.

Jim is survived by his wife, JoAnn Dowe (Portland); his son, Paul James “PJ” Dowe III (San Diego, Calif.); his daughter, Caitlin Dowe-Sandes and husband, Samuel, (Marrakech, Morocco); daughter, Erika Dowe Fitzgerald and husband, Matt (Edwards, Colo.); former wife and mother of his children, Susan Dowe (Bath); grandchildren, Sadie, Maddox and Gigi; sisters, Ann Fairchild (Monmouth) and Mary Turcotte, (Auburn); and stepsons, Evan and Keith Daigle (Portland).

His friendships were limitless and he will be lovingly remembered by every life he touched.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.coastalcremationservices.com.