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William True "Bill" Rowley
William T. Rowley, 72, of Cold Spring, entered into eternal rest at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh, N.Y. on Friday January 12, 2007, in the company of his family, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born on January 2, 1935, in Rochester, N.Y., he was the only child of Harold True and Elizabeth Ann (Cutts) Rowley. William graduated from Hilton Central School in 1953 and briefly worked as a mechanic in his family owned business "Rowley Chevrolet". On January 19, 1954 he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he obtained the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd Grade, and served on the USS Ticonderoga CVA- 14. During his service he received commendations for National Defense, Good Conduct, and European Occupation. He also served in the inactive naval reserves for another four years, William was granted an Honorable Discharge on January 18, 1962.
While on furlough from the USN with one his ship mates in 1954, he met the love of his life, Miss Cecilia Gwendolyn Lester, at a grange hall dance in Dutchess County. William and Cecilia married on May 10, 1958 and resided in Spencerport N.Y. for a short while. Bill and Gwen moved to the Dutchess County area where he worked as an automobile mechanic at Mid-Hudson Chevrolet. Following his heart he began working as a marine mechanic for Dry Harbor Marine in Hyde Park. His reputation for outstanding work preceded him, and he was sought out by J W Moretti Boats of Peekskill, N.Y. to be their lead mechanic.
Bill and Gwen moved their family to the Peekskill area, and resided there until 1976 when they moved to Cold Spring and raised their family, he retired from the Marine industry in 1997. William loved life and all living things, he was a outdoorsman and enjoyed many different hobbies, which included Target Shooting, Hunting, Fishing, Ammunition Reloading, Scuba Diving, Boating and above all spending time with his family, were amongst his many passions.
He also fairly recently purchased a 1975 Corvette Stingray, in which he entered many car shows over the last several years, Bill was very proud of owning another Corvette, as he and Gwen owned a 1960 Corvette Convertible which they had to sell when their first child arrived.
William held memberships in the National Rifle Association, NYS Divers Association, Corvette Owners Association, and the Antique Outboard Motor Club. He was also an active parishioner of Our Lady of Loretto Church. The most important thing in William's life was his family; he was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Gwendolyn of Cold Spring, children: Christopher True (Cold Spring), Michele Lynn Straight (East Greenbush), Nicole Ann Hernandez (Beacon) and Emmett William (Newburgh), three grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 24 Fair St, Cold Spring, N.Y. on Tuesday, January 16, followed by interment at Cold Spring Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Clinton Funeral Home. If desired, in lieu of flowers donations in memory of William True Rowley may be made to HOSPICE of Orange and Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court Newburgh, N.Y. 12550 *Important: to make sure donations are directed correctly enter into the memo line "The Kaplan Family Hospice Residence."
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