Vassalboro ~ Urban Sterling “Sonny” Rowe Jr., 86, of Cushnoc Road, died Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at his home. He was born in Augusta on September 4, 1928, the son of Urban and Dora (Cameron) Rowe. Sonny attended Cony High School and had worked for the State of Maine Highway Department before serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1954. After his service to his country, Sonny operated a poultry farm in Vassalboro from 1961 to 1968 and later was a maintenance worker for the Augusta Convalescent Center and Country Manor in Coopers Mills. He enjoyed anything that had to do with trains and was a member of the 470 Club. He enjoyed reading, watching westerns and was a history buff. He and his wife took a trip to Andersonville Prison in Georgia where his great grandfather was held prisoner during the Civil War. Sonny was a lifetime member of the Neguemkeag – Vassalboro Masonic Lodge and was a founding member of the Vassalboro Fire Department. He was predeceased by a sister Joyce Peaslee. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosemary Rowe; a daughter Gretchen Mangin and her husband Peter; 2 sons; Eric Rowe and his wife Debbie and Jon Rowe and his wife Sheri, all of Vassalboro; a sister Pauline Smith of Vassalboro; 9 grandchildren; Vickilyn Drummond, Peter C. Mangin, Bennie Rowe, Benji Rowe, Erica Mitton, Amanda Geneseo, Rebecca Fritz, Jon Rowe Jr. and Justin Rowe; 19 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 8th, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St., Augusta. Burial with military honors will follow in the Cross Hill Cemetery, Vassalboro. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta 04330. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.