Lawrence Rowan

Rowan – Lawrence D.

Passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family after his long and brave battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  Larry was born into a strong prairie pioneering family to his adored mother Betty (Bill) Wait at MacNutt, Sask. on Sept 30, 1934.  He leaves to mourn his wife Beverley Ann (née Craig); his sons Craig and Nelson (Sharon), grandchildren Teaghan and Lily Ann, Chelsea and River Cardiff; and his sister-in-law Arlene Craig (Mary Lou Sloan).

Larry served in the RCMP from 1955 to 1989 and was promoted to S/Sgt in the Fraudulent Cheque Section.  He dedicated his life to the community serving as inaugural President of Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa, building Rideau Valley Air Park and developing Rideau Valley Soaring School with his friends.

Larry started building model airplanes at a very young age. He built his own home in Kars with his father-in-law’s help. He also built a ski patrol first aid team at the Ottawa Ski Club and two small businesses related to flying.

He was a proud father and grandfather, loved his family and friends and enjoyed entertaining.  He had a wonderful sense of humour thus laughter was always the best medicine.  He made you remember what was most important -family, love and good humour.

We will miss you so much Larry.  Rest in Peace.  We love you.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Friends may attend a visitation at the Kars Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 1610 Roger Steven's Dr, Kars on Saturday, April 29th from 10:30 am until time of memorial service in the chapel at 12:30 pm, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to Ronald McDonald House or CHEO