Antique car enthusiast, loved bucolic summers in Maine, tinkering with engines
Tom Rowe. (Courtesy photo)
Thomas Patrick Rowe, age 68, died peacefully on Aug. 14, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, after an extended illness.
Tom was born in Lowell to Walter Edward Rowe Sr. and Dorothy Francis Rowe. Growing up in Lowell and Chelmsford, Tom graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1974 and then studied Information technology at Lowell Technological Institute, which led to his profession in software development-engineering. Tom worked at several high-tech companies during his career, including many years at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he met his future wife, Jayne Lahanas. They were married in 1991 and began their lives together in Townsend. They welcomed their son Matthew in 1993. In 1999, Tom moved his family to Harvard, where he spent 26 happy years.
A lifelong antique car enthusiast, Tom loved restoring classic automobiles. He spent many years rebuilding his dream car, a 1972 Corvette Stingray. Another passion was tinkering with engines, both large and small. One could often find Tom working in his garage, taking apart a lawnmower, tuning up a snowblower, or dismantling a power tool. Tom was a kind and gentle man, always willing to help those who needed his mechanical skills. In his later years as his vision began to fail from his disease, Tom happily began passing his knowledge to his son, becoming his son’s mentor and teacher. Tom was most proud of his son, and working with Matthew on engines gave Tom great joy.
Tom also loved spending summer months in Maine at a family cottage on Bustins Island. There he enjoyed walks around the island, or simply sitting in his favorite porch rocking chair, enjoying the peace and serenity of the ocean view and chatting with islanders who happened by. Tom also looked forward to family barbecues, boat rides, and nightly card games with his many island friends.
Tom is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jayne (Lahanas) Rowe, and his son, Matthew Patrick Rowe, both of Harvard. He also leaves four nieces and nephews, several cousins, and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Dorothy Rowe, his sister Thena (Rowe) Sireen, and his brother, Walter Rowe Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Neurology Department for the outstanding care they gave Tom over the past 11 years, and for their continued efforts through research to find a cure for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). They would also like to thank the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their kindness, care, and compassion during Tom’s final days.
Memorial donations in Tom’s name may be made to the MGH CAA Research Program: please make checks payable to “Massachusetts General Hospital—Fund 028184,” and mail to: Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, Attn: Kylie Baruffi, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston MA 02114-1101; (or donate online at bit.ly/4naoJ2w).
A celebration of Tom’s life will be scheduled at a future time.
