Obituary: Robert S. Rowley, Of Brookfield, Ridgefield And Danbury

Information Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

BROOKFIELD, CT — Robert S. Rowley, 81, of Brookfield, formerly of Danbury and Ridgefield, husband of Emily (Luque) Rowley, died on Saturday, Dec. 19, at his home.

Mr. Rowley was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 26, 1939, a son of Louis Napoleon and Mabelle (Chemidlin) Rowley. Raised in Port Washington, NY, he attended Port Washington schools, graduated from Port Washington High School attained his bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College of Swarthmore, PA and his master's degree from Columbia University of New York, NY.

Upon graduation from college, Mr. Rowley was employed with the Perkin Elmer Corporation for 40 years as an engineer and physicist. An accomplished musician, Mr. Rowley played the piano and organ. For 35 years, he was the organist and music director for the Jesse Lee Memorial Methodist Church of Ridgefield, a 40-year member and former president of the Fairfield County Chorale, a member of the Berkshire Chorale and the former Charles Pope Choristers. He was a member of the Danbury Men's Club, Founder Hall of Ridgefield, and its Men's Bridge Group. Mr. Rowley was a mentor at Rogers Park Middle School, Danbury, and an active participant in the American Red Cross Blood Program. He attended the First Congregational Church of New Milford.

In addition to his wife Emily of fifty-three years, he is survived by a daughter, Victoria Higley; a brother, David C. Rowley; sister-in-law, Barbara Mora; three grandchildren, Amanda Nicole Higley, Robyn Elizabeth Higley, and Casey Rebecca Pratt; a great-granddaughter, Ruby Grace Higley and several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Rowley was predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth Rowley, his son-in-law Robert Higley, a victim of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center and by a brother, Louis Emile Rowley, mother-in-law, Ethelle Luque, brothers-in-law, Samuel and Earl Luque, sisters-in-law, Deborah Rosenberg and Peggy Luque.

Due to the concerns about social gatherings affecting us all at this time, there will be no calling hours. All are invited to join the family for a graveside and interment funeral service at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, at St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield. Social distancing and facial covering will be required. A Celebration of Life will take place when there are no longer restrictions regarding social distancing.

Contributions in Mr. Rowley's memory may be made to the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association or to the American Red Cross.