Obituary: Jay D Rowe

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Jay D Rowe of Hancock, MI, 84, passed to his heavenly home on March 24, 2024 at his home.  

Jay was born in Calumet (Centennial Heights) on September 2, 1939, to parents Oakley R and Gertrude (Amala) Rowe.  Jay graduated from Calumet High School in 1957 and Michigan Tech University in 1961.  He then married Joyce Wahlstrom shortly after graduating in 1962 and they enjoyed nearly 60 loving years together.

Jay had successful careers as a mechanical engineer and was self-employed as an insurance agent in Hancock. He was well known in sports circles as a record setting all UP football, basketball, and track star at Calumet High School having been inducted into the CHS hall of fame. During his time at Michigan Tech, he was also a varsity letter winner. 

Jay was very knowledgeable when it came to local mining history and Cornish immigration to the Copper Country. His earliest ancestors came from Cornwall, England in 1850 and were among the first Cornish settlers on Isle Royale.  

Jay was a member of the Hancock Elks, Hancock Volunteer Fire Department, President of the Keweenaw Cornish society, and he and Joyce were 30-year members of the Miscowabik club in Calumet.  One of his proudest volunteer opportunities came when he co-chaired the highly successful Copper County Homecoming and Old Settler’s Ball held in Houghton and surrounding counties in 2004. 

Jay served in the US army reserves from 1956 until 1962 and was honorably discharged in 1962.  In 1965 he worked in Thule Greenland as an Engineer spending 18 months working on BMEWS radar systems. 

Jay is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (Wahlstrom) Rowe, Parents Oakley and Gertrude Rowe, Joyce’s parents John and Elsie Wahlstrom, Brothers Oakley “Bud” Rowe (Doris), Kenneth Rowe (Nancy), Sisters Delores Ryding (Carl), Loretta Blau (Junior), Elaine Beaudion (Leonard), and Kathleen Gawlik. 

Jay is survived by his sons, Gregory (Mary) Rowe, Chad (Rhonda) Rowe, and Nathan (Laura) Rowe and Special friend Carole Collins. He was a proud grandfather to Tanya (Jacy) Rowe, Andrea Rowe, and Mark Rowe. Emme (Dustin) Mitchell and Elle Rowe and Garrett, Trevor, Jordyn, Grace (Justin) Rowe. Great Grandchildren Liam Rowe, Vieno Mitchell, Rylin Rowe, and Arthur Mitchell. He is further survived by Brother Mark (Colleen) Rowe, sisters Judy (Paul) Jarve, Carol (Jack) Barry, and Jean Rowe Cygan, and sister-in-law Nancy (Antilla) Rowe. 

One of his greatest joys was spending summers with his family and extended family in Cedar Bay Michigan at the Rowe family camp. 

Erickson Crowley Funeral Home of Calumet will oversee arrangements and visitation will be April 1st from 11-2 pm at the Erickson Crowley funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Jesse Aho presiding, internment will occur later in May. Lunch will be held at the Siskiwit Reception Hall on Erickson-Crowley property following the services on April 1.