Commander John Dennis Rowe "Denny"

Commander John Dennis "Denny" Rowe, USN (Ret) age 86, of Royal Palm Beach, passed away on October 7, 2014. He is survived by his beloved wife, Edith Constance (Foss) "Connie" Rowe of 63 years and eight of his nine children: Kathy Rowell (Sam), Janet Berry (Doug), Peggy Rowe-Linn (Steven), Patty DiMassino, Jennifer Grady, Timothy (Debbie), James (Laura) and Robert (Kathy). Last year, Denny lost his son, Dennis and this year, Dennis' wife, Susan. He had thirty-two grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren with more expected any day. Denny is also survived by his brothers, Joe and Art. His brother, Bert, predeceased him. Denny Rowe was also predeceased by his great-grandson, Aidan Vitiello. Family was his life. Denny was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He has been a RCIA instructor and sponsor, a lector and an usher. He was very active at Queen of Apostles Church in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. He was a longtime member of Rotary. A proud graduate of the University of Washington at Seattle in electrical engineering, he also completed post-graduate studies in mathematics. He was a decorated, career naval officer and former instructor at the United States Naval Academy. He loved being an aviator. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. Upon his military retirement, he opened Rowe Draperies, Inc., in Riviera Beach, Florida, and later purchased FenRay Cleaners, now Tim & Deb's Cleaners, which are both being operated by his children. He was a master woodworker, electrician and nuclear physicist. He was an occasional golfer, an avid fisherman and, in his youth, a hunter. He loved boating and loved working the daily crossword puzzle. Of all his loves, there was only Connie and dancing. The consummate gentleman, he always made sure that he danced with all his "girls." His only addiction was computer solitaire. He was loving, kind, intelligent, humble, honest, gentle, quiet, thoughtful, and hardworking. His life truly was a legacy of love to his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren and all whom he met. He was the epitome of service to God, country, family and fellow man. Visitation services will be on Monday at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach from 5-8 PM. A Mass of the Resurrection will be at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church, 100 Crestwood Blvd. S, Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road # 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.