Obituary for Brian M. Rowe
It is with deep sadness to announce the passing of Brian M. Rowe, 42, of Pittsfield. He passed away February 27, 2022 at his home from natural causes.
He was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 23, 1979 to Therese Arndt Chapman and Michael Rowe.
Brian was a 1998 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He then attended Berkshire Community College for 1 year and transferred to Northeast University, where he majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and graduated in 2003.
He had been employed in various outside sales jobs, most currently in the HVAC industry for United Refrigeration.
As a youth, Brian played many sports, t-ball, soccer at the YMCA, basketball at the CYC, he was on Stevenson’s Insurance Company Little League baseball team, and was on the Bousquet Downhill Ski Team. While at PHS he was on the tennis team and during his junior year, he attended CVA, Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine, for downhill skiing.
He enjoyed travelling and going to Amsterdam, Spain, Dominic Republic and Canada; going on family trips to Hawaii, Florida, Cape Cod, Newport, RI, Attitash, NH, and Killington, VT. He also loved to go to Vail, CO, where he was in a co-op for Northeastern.
Brian lived life on his own terms. He had a GREAT sense of humor. He was a lover of all animals. He took pleasure in downhill skiing, golfing, cross country skiing, hiking in Kennedy Park and at Canoe Meadows, which was a special place for him. He loved spending time with his grandparents, mom and step-dad and family.
Brian was a foodie and loved going out to eat. He enjoyed sushi from Koto, taco nights, margarita pizza on a cauliflower crust topped with his grandfather’s roasted garlic, and rolling enchiladas for his mom and step-dad. He loved his mom’s chicken parmigiana and pot pies as well and, of course, his grandparent’s lamb chops. But he said his step-dad’s filet mignon with bearnaise sauce was the best he ever had! He also enjoyed his regular luncheon dates with his Nana and Grandpa.
He was an immense help to his Grandparents and Nana and Grandpa. They treasured the time he spent with them. Brian looked forward to having dinner with his friend Jeff and hanging out or going for long car rides with his friend Nick. The highlight of summer for Brian was to go to Tanglewood, sit outside and have a picnic, while watching John Williams conducting Film Night. This was our yearly tradition.
Brian had battled depression and SUD, but he embraced recovery. We are VERY proud of him, especially after being diagnosed with MS, which caused major health issues.
He is survived by his mother, Therese Chapman and step-father Ron; father, Michael Rowe and step-mother Judith. His maternal grandparents, Shirley and Allen Arndt. His paternal grandmother and step-grandfather, Joan and Norm Thurston; paternal grandfather, Raymond Rowe; half-sister, Melanie Rowe; uncle, Billy Rowe and many extended family members and friends whom he loved and will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his aunts, Annemarie Arndt and Annette Rowe Twiggs.
Brian’s passing has left a huge void in our lives, but we know he is with us and watching over us.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held MONDAY, March 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. There will be no calling hours. Due to some immunocompromised family members, the family kindly asks that those attending wear masks and social distance.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer, when family and friends can gather to comfort each other and share stories of Brian’s life. Date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the MS Support Foundation; or to the Berkshire Humane Society; or the Brien Center, all in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
He was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 23, 1979 to Therese Arndt Chapman and Michael Rowe.
Brian was a 1998 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He then attended Berkshire Community College for 1 year and transferred to Northeast University, where he majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and graduated in 2003.
He had been employed in various outside sales jobs, most currently in the HVAC industry for United Refrigeration.
As a youth, Brian played many sports, t-ball, soccer at the YMCA, basketball at the CYC, he was on Stevenson’s Insurance Company Little League baseball team, and was on the Bousquet Downhill Ski Team. While at PHS he was on the tennis team and during his junior year, he attended CVA, Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine, for downhill skiing.
He enjoyed travelling and going to Amsterdam, Spain, Dominic Republic and Canada; going on family trips to Hawaii, Florida, Cape Cod, Newport, RI, Attitash, NH, and Killington, VT. He also loved to go to Vail, CO, where he was in a co-op for Northeastern.
Brian lived life on his own terms. He had a GREAT sense of humor. He was a lover of all animals. He took pleasure in downhill skiing, golfing, cross country skiing, hiking in Kennedy Park and at Canoe Meadows, which was a special place for him. He loved spending time with his grandparents, mom and step-dad and family.
Brian was a foodie and loved going out to eat. He enjoyed sushi from Koto, taco nights, margarita pizza on a cauliflower crust topped with his grandfather’s roasted garlic, and rolling enchiladas for his mom and step-dad. He loved his mom’s chicken parmigiana and pot pies as well and, of course, his grandparent’s lamb chops. But he said his step-dad’s filet mignon with bearnaise sauce was the best he ever had! He also enjoyed his regular luncheon dates with his Nana and Grandpa.
He was an immense help to his Grandparents and Nana and Grandpa. They treasured the time he spent with them. Brian looked forward to having dinner with his friend Jeff and hanging out or going for long car rides with his friend Nick. The highlight of summer for Brian was to go to Tanglewood, sit outside and have a picnic, while watching John Williams conducting Film Night. This was our yearly tradition.
Brian had battled depression and SUD, but he embraced recovery. We are VERY proud of him, especially after being diagnosed with MS, which caused major health issues.
He is survived by his mother, Therese Chapman and step-father Ron; father, Michael Rowe and step-mother Judith. His maternal grandparents, Shirley and Allen Arndt. His paternal grandmother and step-grandfather, Joan and Norm Thurston; paternal grandfather, Raymond Rowe; half-sister, Melanie Rowe; uncle, Billy Rowe and many extended family members and friends whom he loved and will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his aunts, Annemarie Arndt and Annette Rowe Twiggs.
Brian’s passing has left a huge void in our lives, but we know he is with us and watching over us.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held MONDAY, March 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. There will be no calling hours. Due to some immunocompromised family members, the family kindly asks that those attending wear masks and social distance.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer, when family and friends can gather to comfort each other and share stories of Brian’s life. Date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the MS Support Foundation; or to the Berkshire Humane Society; or the Brien Center, all in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.