LEICESTER: Paige Rowden,76, of 32 Warren Ave.,died peacefully in his home on
Saturday, January 14.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Mary E. (Haynes) Rowden, a son Peter J. and
his wife Catherine M. Rowden of Groton, two daughters Susan P. Rowden and
her husband Richard Chase of W.Brookfield, Kristin M. and her husband Glen
Lopriore of Millbury, a brother Webb and his wife Marjorie Rowden of
Leicester, three sisters Nancy Erickson of West Dennis, Martha and her
husband Francis Doherty of Lancaster, Deborah and her husband Michael Foy of
Leicester, seven grand children Emily and Molly Chase, Erica and Spencer
Rowden, Mary , Rachel and Kristopher Lopriore, many nieces and nephews.
He was born in Ware, the son of Newton H. and Henrietta (Webb) Rowden. He
once served in the U.S. Army.
He graduated from Leicester High School, Worcester State College with a B.S.
in Education in 1954, and Masters Degree in Education in 1958. He began his
teaching career at Leicester High School in 1954, became Assistant Principal
from 1971-91, Director of Athletics 1954-70 and Director of Athletics at
Leicester Junior College from 1951-75. While at Leicester High, he coached
football, baseball and basketball and coached basketball at Leicester
Junior/Becker College. Paige had a tremendous success at both High School
and College level coaching. He had a 28 year association with Leicester
Junior/Becker College, serving as men's Basketball coach from 1951-79,
baseball coach from 1952-66, and assistant football coach in 1951. As AD, he
instituted men's tennis, ice hockey, wrestling, men's soccer, cross country,
and was responsible for the introduction of women's varsity sports including
basketball, softball and tennis. He was assistant director at Worcester
Academy Summer Sports Camp 1958-69. Paige had tremendous success at both
high school and college level sports and is now enshrined in the Becker
College Athletic Hall of Fame 1987, Worcester State Athletic Hall of Fame as
a player in 1988, Leicester High School Athletic Hall of Fame 1993 and the
New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mr. Rowden coached in nearly 1,000 basketball games and compiled a career
record of 665 wins and 219 losses. He ushered in junior college basketball
tournaments, beginning in 1954 with a New England Junior and Small College
Invitational held at Norton Gym, Worcester. He was instrumental in forming
the New England Junior College Athletic Conference.
He was a member of Leicester Federated Church, the Senior Citizen Club of
Leicester, Retired Educators Assoc. of Mass. and was active in Leicester
Town government including the Moose Hill Water Commission and Leicester
By-laws Committee.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in the
Leicester Federated Church, 2 Washburn Sq., Leicester. Burial will follow in
Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester. Calling hours at the MORRISON-MORIN FUNERAL
HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester are Monday, Jan. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu
of flowers, contributions may be made to the Paige Rowden Scholarship Fund,
c/o Becker College, 61 Sever St., Worcester, Ma. 01609.
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