Jack T. STOW

STOW, Captain Jack T. Master Mariner 1914-2005 Jack has passed away on November 15th, at the age of 91, after a brief illness. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Maisie. His memory will be cherished by daughter Susan (Jacques), sons Peter (Jennifer), Jack (Lesley), Bill (Beverley) and Philip (Stella); grandchildren Nicholas, Peter James, Nikki, Megan, Jason, Jennifer, Stephen, Jillian, Kathryn, Julie, Jackie, Philippe, Ben and Paul and many great-grandchildren. Born in Lincolnshire, England, Jack joined the British Merchant Navy as an apprentice in 1931 and sailed to Africa, Australia and India during the four years of his indenture with Clan Line Steamers. He came ashore in 1935 to marry Maisie and help his father George who owned the village General Store at Chapel-St-Leonards - "Stow's Stores" - but returned to sea as an Able Seaman Gunner when war broke out in 1939. He served continuously throughout the war, surviving many attacks from above and beneath the sea. In 1941 he was commended for bravery by Prime Minister Winston Churchill for his part in the rescue from the sea of 109 survivors while his convoy was under attack by German U-boats. In 1957, Jack left active Merchant Navy service and emigrated with the family to Canada, where Jack would become Chief Marine Officer of the St Lawrence Seaway Authority in Cornwall until his retirement in 1980. He was also an active member and past President of the Rotary Club, and a member of the Company of Master Mariners of Canada. Jack's remains will be interred beside Maisie at St Luke's Anglican Church in Hubbards, Nova Scotia on Saturday, November 19th. There will be no service or visitation in Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mission to Seafarers, PO Box 27114, Halifax N.S B3H 4M8 or to a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Dave Porter and the staff of Blackburn Lodge Seniors Residence for the compassionate care and support they have given Jack over the past six years. Fair Winds and Following Seas Dad Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 11/17/2005