Allan (Lanny) Rowsell
February 16, 1955 – February 09, 2021
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Celebrating the life of Captain Allan (Lanny) Rowsell, 16 Feb 1955 – 9 Feb 2021, of Harrington Harbour, QC, residing in St. John’s, NL since 1973.
Pre-deceased by his supportive parents, Nelson & Doris Rowsell of Harrington Harbour; father-in-law William (Bill) Byrne of Howley, NL and brother-in-law Darryl Kelly.
Remaining to cherish the warmth of his spirit: wife and partner of 45 years Kerri Rowsell (Byrne); loving children: Heather (Corey Johnson), Glen (Nicolle Hamlyn), and Julia (Jesse Dumas); and adoring grandchildren: Jake, Ethan, Leah, and Annie. Sharing his memory: his brothers (and sisters-in-law), Keith (Ann Williams), and Andrew (Helena Monger); mother-in-law Theresa Byrne; siblings-in-law Debbie Roche, Todd and Greg Byrne (Tobi). As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and a large circle of colleagues and acquaintances.
Lanny grew up in the close knit community of Harrington on the Quebec Lower North Shore, and attended high school in Sherbrooke, QC. He picked apples for Rockefeller in New York to earn pocket money, eventually joining the Canadian Coast Guard as a cadet and serving as deckhand on one of the first offshore support vessels in Canada. He attended the Marine Institute in St. John’s, finishing as a Master Mariner in his mid 20’s, while supporting his young family and serving with the CCG’s Atlantic fleet. Allan served in all Bridge Officer positions up to and including Captain. He enjoyed his time spent in the Arctic on the Franklin, and, when he eventually moved from his duties as Captain to land-based duties, at Iqaluit in Ice Operations Support. In St. John’s he continued his CCG career in a number of roles including Director of Ice Operations and an Area Director with Fisheries and Oceans.
Not one to emphasize titles, his focus was always simple – get the job done.
Retiring in 2011, Allan contributed to his community as a Red Cross volunteer and was a long time member of the YMCA. He enjoyed fitness and friendship through recreational ice hockey, and sessions playing guitar and mandolin. Allan could also be found taking his morning “coffee runs” driving to Middle Cove to observe the sea.
Needless to say, Allan enjoyed the ride.
Held tight in our hearts, never to be forgotten, by a wide circle of family and friends who respected his accomplishments, benefitted from his wisdom and laughed often at the tales he would tell. Words cannot do justice to the impact of his presence and the glow of his legacy.
We love him, always.
A celebration of a life well lived will be held when times permit. Donations can be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation as a gift in memory of Allan F. Rowsell.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Allan Lanny Rowsell 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Torbay, Province: T-N