Thurlow Gowan

Thurlow was born in 1912 in Dauphin, Manitoba.  He lived there for the first couple of months before “being brought” back to the family homestead near Kelvington, Saskatchewan.  His parents were John Gowan (1874-1954) and Ida Thompson (1878-1983).  Thurlow had one sister Orion (1905-1996).

Thurlow’s parents gave him the middle names “John Abbott” named after his mother’s cousin John Abbott, who was Canada’s third Prime Minister and Canada’s first Canadian born Prime Minister. 

Growing up Thurlow kept busy on the family farm growing oats, wheat and barley.  They also had milk cows, beef cattle, chickens, turkeys and pigs.  Thurlow was a “Bee Keeper” in his early 20’s.  He sold honey for 10 cents a pound.  He also worked in logging before continuing his education to become a teacher.

Thurlow enjoyed playing a variety of musical instruments.  At age 12 he began to play the mandolin, at age 14 he began to play the mandolin banjo.  In the years that followed he also learned to play the tenor banjo, the E flat saxophone, drums and the bull fiddle.  He played in dance bands at country dances held at the various country halls in the Kelvington area.  Thurlow always enjoyed entertaining family and friends, playing the banjo and singing.

Thurlow became a school teacher in 1939 and taught school until 1979.  His teaching career took him from the one-room school house in Truax, Saskatchewan, to Kelvington, Saskatchewan and later Creighton, Saskatchewan with a short stint in Abbotsford, BC.

Thurlow also loved to hunt partridge, grouse, ducks and geese.  He enjoyed hunting ducks and geese for many years.

Thurlow married Vivian Minge on August 15, 1951 in Saskatoon.   In 1952 they moved to Flin Flon, where Thurlow taught school in Creighton and Vivian opened her own beauty salon. They enjoyed fishing and boating in the many lakes around Creighton and Flin Flon.

In the late 1960’s, Thurlow and Vivian moved to Abbotsford, BC.  Thurlow taught school for a few years in Abbotsford (Godson, North Popular and Peardonville Schools). In the early 1970’s they returned to Flin Flon where Thurlow taught school in Creighton until he retired. After Thurlow retired they returned to Abbotsford.

Thurlow and Vivian enjoyed square dancing.  Thurlow was also became a caller for square dancers.

Thurlow started writing poetry at a young age.  Thurlow said he only wrote poetry when he felt like it.  Around 1983, he joined the MSA Poets Potpourri Society (“PPS”).  In 2009, two members of the PPS encouraged him to join them in publishing a book of poems entitled “A Trail of Light”. 

As a tribute to Thurlow turning 100 this year, the PPS published a book entitled “Picking Flowers” which is named after one of Thurlow’s poems.  Along with the tributes by the members of the PPS, the book includes poems Thurlow wrote about Flin Flon and twenty-five of his poems that were published in “A Trail of Light”.  On October 6 at Bevan Lodge several members of the PPS presented Thurlow with the book.  Unfortunately, Thurlow was not able to attend the book launch on October 15.

Thurlow and Vivian had no children, but had a Boston Terrier, named Bonnie. Over the years they had more than one Boston Terrier and they were all named Bonnie. They also had a Boston Terrier named Dee, which was a pup of the last Bonnie. For a time, Thurlow and Vivian raised Boston Terriers.  Their Boston Terriers were their pride and joy.

On October 18, 2012 Thurlow passed away peacefully at Bevan Lodge with his family at his side.

Thurlow is predeceased by his parents and sister Orion Steele. He is survived by three sisters-in-law Gina Gushel of Regina, Ardiz Enger (Duffy) of Victoria, and Doris Barrett of Abbotsford, nieces, nephews and cousins and many dear friends.

He will be forever loved and remembered by all you knew him.

A Celebration of Thurlow’s life will be held on October 23, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Bevan Lodge, 33386 Bevan Ave, Abbotsford, British Columbia. 

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.