Philip C. Rowley

Philip C. Rowley, 92, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, at MidState Medical Center in Meriden. He was the husband of Judith (Kellogg) Rowley.

Mr. Rowley was born June 20, 1931, in Greenfield, MA., son of the late Harold and Leslie (Browning) Rowley. In addition to his wife, Judith Kellogg Rowley of 65 years, Mr. Rowley leaves behind his 3 children, Cynthia Knight (Tom Banks), Stoddard Rowley (Kerrin) and Judith Coffey (Donald). He will also be missed by his 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, brother Stephen Rowley and sister Leslie Mullican. In addition to his parents, Mr. Rowley was predeceased by his sister Susan Rowley Bart.

Mr. Rowley spent his professional career working in the paper business, commuting to and from NYC and Washington, DC., where the bulk of his work was spent working with the government and subsequently, was dubbed “The Senator” by his coworkers. A title he accepted proudly!

He raised his family in New Canaan, CT and later retired to Southbury, CT and Grafton, VT. He had a love of family that goes unmatched. All that he did was because of and for his family. To some it may seem he led a quiet and simple life, but to those of us who were lucky enough to share space with him, knew that could not be further from the truth. This was a man who saved all his energy and heart for his family, friends and carefully chosen charities. He shared his love in the simplest of ways, yet the most profound and meaningful ways. A handwritten note seemingly out of the blue, a gentle hand on your arm, a quick glance with his infamous crooked smile, let you know he was in your corner for the long haul. Mr. Rowley embodied all the ideas that we wish were alive and well today. He had a quality and a gift that has the true power to better our world and Mr. Rowley led his portion of the world in this way.

Close to his heart was the Grafton Historical Museum, where efforts are focused on recording and teaching about Vermont’s history and Grafton’s place in that history. With the Board on which Mr. Rowley was previously a member, and through his volunteer efforts, an on-going focus is made to track, record, and participate in the continuing story of a little, but mighty, town in Vermont.

Arrangements: Services for Mr. Rowley were private and burial was held at Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury, CT. There were no calling hours and The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in Philip’s name, can be made to The Grafton Historical Society, P.O. Box 202, Grafton, VT 05146.