Guestbook for Frank M. Bowie
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June 4, 2012 | Teri Pontbriand - Durham, ME -- USA
Frank was one of the first individuals Tom & I met when we built our house in 1980 on the Stackpole Rd. Frank was a very kind, welcoming man that took great pride in his farm and certainly brought us up to speed on the polotics of the town. Our family enjoyed buying the meat he kept in the freezer as well as the farm fresh milk, and later on, the hay.
Frank often hired the local boys to help him out with the haying and I remember when I took my son to his house to see if he could help out haying; Frank looked him over from head to toe and said he wasn't tall or rugged enough..We laughed..
He was a special man- we will miss him.
May 29, 2012 | Susan Leitzell - McConnellstown, PA -- USA
The Kids and I were saddened by the news of Frank's passing. Frank was one of the first neighbors that stopped and welcomed us to Stackpole Road on December 1, 1999. From the moment I met him I knew that he would become one a very special person to my family. Moving from PA to Maine, knowing no one, Frank gave us his "Maine" advice and shared stories of the town I have grown to love and miss dearly. Frank was ALWAYS there if you needed anything from a haywagon to use during our many summer picnics to lending a hand to a helpless blonde trying to start a generator on many cold and powerless winter days. I will think of him every time I make homemade peanutbutter eggs (of which I always made extra for him). Durham has most defineately loss a Legend. I know we will miss him greatly, even though we had moved back to PA I looked forward to our bimonthly telephone conversations and updates on the Durham happenings. May God grant Lucille and the family peace and confort in this most difficult time. May Frank Bowie's Memory be eternal!
May 28, 2012 | Kathleen Harlow - Pownal, ME -- USA
I will miss being at the farm, and haying along with Frank on those priceless old tractors. I am honored that he let me patsure my shorthorns at his farm, and happy that he could look out at them in his front fields after his cows were gone. He is one of kind.
May 24, 2012 | Arthur Langley - Durham, ME -- USA
I walked up the drive to the barn and met "Frank" some years ago going door to door before an election.
I'd come to Maine to get away from the fast life and "important people". A few minutes speaking with Frank and I realized I was with a very great man who was good, wise and humble beyond description. I was so honored and grateful that this special man smiled with his heart upon me and wanted to spend time sharing ideas then and other times.
Thank you seems so little but is so right. Glad I knew ye. Godspeed Frank.
May 24, 2012 | Russell & Barbara Jabaut - Durham, Maine -- USA
We wish to offer condolences to Lucille, Jeffrey, Betsy & Eric on the loss of their beloved husband and father, Frank Bowie.
40 years ago when we moved to Durham we learned that a dairy farmer just up Stackpole road sold fresh milk direct from his cows to local folks. We met Frank in his barn and became both friends and customers. Seemed he always managed to have time for conversation and sharing the good life. We often started from different perspectives on many topics and usually ended much closer to each other. He knew the art of disagreeing without becoming disagreeable and generously shared that skill. Today's politicians could learn a lot from his example.
We fondly remember the level of trust which existed between all of us who bought milk at the Lazy B. If we couldn't find Frank or Dorothy, we slipped our money in the pocket of an old shirt. We raised our sons on Frank's cows' milk. At one point we were buying 6 gallons a week, and Barbara churned a good portion of the uppermost cream into our butter... while leaving just enough for the best tasting milk we've ever drank. Some of our "city friends" could not believe we drank "raw" milk and never had any doubts about its safety. We simply knew Frank, Dorothy and Leon would never sell any product which was unfit for human consumption.
We remember Frank getting steamed up as town meeting moderator ... stepping down from the podium and giving us all a good piece of his passionate wisdom. We did not always agree with his reasoning, but always respected the sincerity, decency and practicality of his position.
Frank, we trust you are beyond time, beyond suffering and at one with all who've gone before, at rest in the Peace which passeth all understanding.
Though you've left us in form, you'll live always in our memory.
Russell & Barbara Jabaut
May 23, 2012 | Brooks Parker - Hartford, Connecticut -- USA
I first met Uncle Frank during the winter of 2001, my then girlfriend, now wife, took me up to the Farm during the winter to snowshoe. We ran into Frank outside, attempting to take pictures of all of the snow with a digital camera. His smile and Maine accentand love for farming and the cows will forever be in my memory. We shared many special Maine holiday meals together with the fine Bowie Clan. Rest in Peace, Uncle Frank.
- B. Parker
May 23, 2012 | Sandra & Willard Bowie - Durham, Maine -- USA
We want to extend our Condolence to all the family in theloss of a great dear friend.He will be gratefully missed.He was a true Durham native.He served the town well.Our prayers are with all the family at this time of sorrow.God Be With You.
May 23, 2012 | Robert Small - Durham, Maine -- USA
My first experiences with Frank were from the Durham Town Meeting. He was very conservative and not afraid to speak his mind. His opinions were not shared by all, but they were shared by many. As a director of Concord Group Insurance he and Lucille regularly attended the three or four day business meetings they hosted at the Samoset resort in Rockport. My wife and I also had the good fortune to attend those meetings and that is where we really got to know Frank and Lucille. The bond of being from Durham gave us a lot in common and a lot to talk about. Frank was called "the most famous man in Durham" by Joe Desmond, the president of Concord Group Insurance and Joe was right. I will miss Frank's down to earth wisdom, kindness and good company. My sincere condolences go out to his wonderful wife, Lucille.
May 23, 2012 | Matt Bowie - Holliston, MA -- United States
Though I was one of the gaggle of grand-nephews, Frank always remembered me, and took time away from whatever he was doing to catch up. He made me feel like a million bucks before I even knew what that was! He'll be missed.
May 22, 2012 | Lonna Bowie - Durham, Maine -- USA
I was saddened to hear of Franks' passing. He will be missed greatly in our fair town. He was a wonderful influence to the kids in town, giving my boys (Erik, Josh and Scott) all their first jobs. He made them work hard and that work ethic has stayed with them. He was always so fun and that smile and laugh was contagious. Our condolences.
May 22, 2012 | Linda D Sarkisian - New Gloucester, Me -- USA
I am so sorry to hear that Frank passed away. I will always remember the jokes we told each other and walking with the cows to another pasture. He will be sadly missed.
May 22, 2012 | Deb Purinton - Durham, ME -- USA
It is with smiles and tears that I heard of Franks' passing this morning. I met Frank many years ago at Town Meeting and we struck up a long lasting friendship that was fueled by our constant disagreement on town and school issues. I loved and respected this wonderful man and I think he enjoyed every argument we had, as I did. His passing has left a hole in our community that no one will fill and he'll be remembered for his quick wit, sly smile, and that ever present twinkle in his eye. Blessings to the Bowie family at this time of loss.
Deb Purinton
May 22, 2012 | Sandra Hilton - Durham, Maine -- USA
Our family has so many wonderful memories of Frank. There was years of buying milk,the kids visiting the farm to play with the cows while their dad got some sage advise on farming from Frank, to Ken having him as a brother at the Lodge. Durham has lost a piece of their history and will be forever affected by the loss of his knowledge and dedication.
