Peter Palmer Bowler

Peter Palmer Bowler—Gorham—Peter Palmer Bowler was born on February 16, 1935 in San Diego, CA to parents George A. and Dorothy Palmer Bowler, an only child. Peter took his last flight on July 30, 2016 at the age of 81. Peter attended many schools across the country and up and down the East Coast before his folks retired to South Portland in 1949. Peter graduated in 1952 from South Portland High School and in 1955 from Maine Maritime Academy with an engineering degree and his commission in the US Navy as an ENS. In September of 1955 he entered Navy Flight School in Pensacola, FL. He married Allene Brookes in April 1956 in South Portland. He received his wings for multi engine aircrafts in Hutchison, KS in 1957. His first duty station after receiving his wings was Brunswick Naval Air Station, VP 26. Having both parents living in South Portland they got to enjoy their grandchildren. From there it was Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and then on to the Navy Yard in Washington, DC., VP7, USS Saratoga #61 and several tours in Iceland and Jax Naval Air Station, FL. Retiring as Lieutenant Commander in 1975 he moved to Gorham, ME with his family where Peter attended USM and earned his Masters in Business Administration. He started giving blood to the Red Cross in 1958 and continued until 2013. Lucky for him as his first dog tags had the wrong type blood. He continued flying, joining the Civil Air Patrol and then a flying club in Portland, ME where he was a flight instructor. All single engines he referred to as “always an emergency” in 1982, Peter taught his son, Dan to fly. He opened the H&R Block Office in Gorham in 1981 and owned it for over 30 years, later turning it over to his daughter, Wendy Bowler. Peter joined the Masons in 1976, heading all York Right Bodies. He was Grand Commander of Maine in 1999-2000. In 2005 at the age of 70, his son-in-law, Paul Rollins taught him to scuba dive and went diving all over including several trips to Bonaire. His wife, Allene went with him but did not dive. Peter was a self- taught oil painter, painting light houses and ocean sceneries. He did wood carvings and carved tulips in the kitchen cabinet doors. The family raised Old English Sheepdogs, Herefords for several years and many other animals and always chickens and a veggie garden. They were active in the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust for many years. Peter was predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law and wife Homer & Terry Brookes. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Allene B. Bowler and their children, son Steve R. Bowler and wife Jayne, their children, Amy and her husband Derrick Allen and son, Jacob H. Bowler. Son, Dan R. Bowler and his wife Linda and their children, son Kyle Bowler and Allison and her husband Alex Stroshane. Daughter, Wendy A. Bowler and her husband Paul Rollins and his son Jeffery. Son John W. Bowler and his step children Angel, Victoria and Michael. Four great grandchildren, Maggie & Finnegan Allen, Sabrina Bowler, William Stroshane, along with his brother-in-law and wife Spencer C. Brookes and Mary Ellen of NH. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at the Barron Center Alzheimer’s Care Complex, especially those in the Oakdale Pod. His wife, Allene and family cannot thank you enough for all the care you gave Peter and your concern for the family, it was greatly appreciated. Masonic services will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Harmony Masonic Hall, 33 Cressey Road, Gorham with a reception to follow at the lodge. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Harmony Masonic Scholarship fund in Peter’s name at PO Box 382, Gorham, Maine 04038.

Peter Palmer Bowler

February 16, 1935 - July 30, 2016

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