Arnold W. Bowers, 88, of North Dartmouth passed away unexpectedly on Thursday August 30, 2007.
He was the husband of Evelyn (Vasconcelles) Bowers.
Born in Voglers Cove, Nova Scotia, the son of the late Robert W. and Hattie F. (Slaunwhite) Bowers he lived most of his life in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Captain Woody was employed as a commercial fisherman based in the port of New Bedford aboard the F/V Ellen Marie for 17 years and then aboard various other draggers until his retirement. In all, Captain Bowers served a total of 50 years in the fishing industry. He was a member of the New Bedford Fishermen’s Union and in 1970 he was the subject of the book "The Dragger", written by William Finn depicting the physically demanding life of the North Atlantic fisherman.
He served in the Canadian Merchant Marines aboard several naval vessels in the capacity of Engineer during World War II.
Woody achieved the position of a Master Mason and was a member of The Star in the East Lodge A.F. & A.M.
Woody enjoyed spending time with his family, working in his yard and building wooden boat models.
Survivors include his wife; 2 sons, Arnold "Skip" and his wife Jackie, Robert and his wife Maureen all of New Bedford; 3 daughters, Deborah of Puerto Rico, Gail and her husband Giovanni Marchetta of Fairhaven, Susan and her husband Roderick Murray of South Dartmouth; 4 grandchildren, Robert, Jenna, Ryan and Alessandra; 2 step-grandsons, a step-great grandson and several nieces and nephews both here in the US and in Nova Scotia.
He was the brother of the late Harold Bowers, Lloyd Bowers, Percy Bowers, Robert Bowers, Marjorie Lewis, and Mabel Anderson.
His graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 4th at 11:30am at the Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven.