PHOTO John W. “Bill” Dow Millinocket – John W. “Bill” Dow, 80, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. He was born June 24, 1936 in Millinocket, the son of Owen and Claudine (McLain) Dow. Bill grew up in Sherman, and was a graduate of Sherman High School, class of 1954. He worked for the Bangor and Aroostook railroad for 43 years, retiring in 1998 as an engineer. Bill was a passionate enthusiast of the Millinocket area and the great outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, and snowsledding. He was a member of the Millinocket Elks Lodge #1521, B.P.O.E., the St. Martin’s Council #7194 of the Knights of Columbus, the Millinocket Fin and Feather Club, and the Northern Timber Cruisers Snowmobile Club. After retiring, he enjoyed taking trips with Nancy DeWitt and daily games of cribbage played at the Elks club with friends. Bill also enjoyed following the New England sports teams, especially the Patriots and Boston Red Sox. He most enjoyed being a devoted and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle to his family, who will miss him dearly. Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Norma J. (Napier) Dow; three children, James Dow, Lisa Davies, and Paula Linneken; three grandchildren, Kayla Dow, Christine Macisso and her husband Christopher, and Aaron Davies; two great grandchildren, Owen Macisso and Nora Jordan; a sister, Jane Fitzgerald and her husband Dean; a niece, Lynn Gamage and her husband Steve; a nephew, David Fitzgerald and his wife Tiva; a special aunt, Pat “Honey” Wilson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will also be missed by a special friend, Mike Buzzell. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by a stepfather, Marcus Tompkins. Friends are invited to visit with the family 1-3 P.M. Friday, December 16 at the Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where funeral services will be held 3 P.M., officiated by Rev. Terry Given and Francis Megno. Spring interment will be at the Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Bill may be sent to the Katahdin Area Support Group, P.O. Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462, or to the First Congregational Church of Millinocket, P.O. Box 507, Millinocket, ME 04462.