March 18, 1925 – June 15, 2014
Monte Bowen, passed away at his home on June 15th, 2014, he was 89 years old. Monte was born in the Comox Valley in 1925 and lived, worked and raised his family in the Valley.
He was predeceased by parents Ina and Robert Bowen; brothers Jim, Ron, Hughie, and Mel Bowen and his sisters Gladys Harrison, Cora Quinn, and Ruby Larson. He was also predeceased by his son Keith Bowen in 1979.
Monte is survived by Edna Bowen, son, Dan Bowen (Lena, daughter in law) and daughters Nedra Jones and Michelle Deptuck. He had numerous grandchildren, Dave and Jason Bowen, Alisha Tinga and Andrea Jupe; Jennifer Jones, Brandon Williams and Savanah Deptuck. His grandchildren are Rachael and Sam Bowen, Brielle and Sienna Jupe, Parker and Olivia Tinga, and Joshua Fitzgerald. Monte also had many nieces and nephews.
Monte’s work career spanned over 50 years, starting on the booms in Royston, cat logging near the Tsable River and with Parks Canada, building park rest areas all over the province in the late 1940’s early 1950’s. He and wife Edna were owners of the old Tsolum Store in the 1960’s where they enjoyed the many friends they made in that area. Monte then bought some equipment and a D-6 cat and formed his company “Monte Bowen Bulldozing Ltd” . He enjoyed many years working in the development industry in the Comox Valley and the North Island. He worked for or with most of the folks in the construction business during this time. He enjoyed this work most of all.
Even to the very end, Monte had a tremendous memory for people and of past events in the Valley and was a source of information whenever called upon. He was loved by family and friends and will be missed. After his first heart attack 8 years ago he required extra care, so many thanks to the dozens of care givers from VIHA who helped him along to his final days. Thank you to the St Joseph’s nursing staff, as well as Dr. Nancy McFadden and Dr. John Fitzpatrick.
There will be a social reception for friends and family at the Comox Valley Funeral Home at 1101 Ryan Road on Friday, June 27th at 1:00pm.