The Rev. Louis E. Rowley

The Rev. Louis E. Rowley ('Reverend Lou') passed into eternal life on May 19, 2019.  Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Lou, his three sons, James (Lisa), John (Melanie) and Peter (Toni), and his grandchildren: Alex, Sarah, Matthew, Will, Seth, Tommy and Ella.  Predeceased by his parents, Louis and Maybelle Rowley, and three grandchildren, Robert, Hannah and Jack.  Louis is also survived by his brothers, Robert (Emily) and David (Abbie) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Reverend Lou was born on January 6, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY.  He grew up in Brooklyn and Port Washington, NY.  He attended Swarthmore College and the Drew University Theological School.  While at Drew, he was a student pastor at Sea Cliff Methodist Church (NY); it was during these years that he met his future wife, Mary Lou Davies.  After graduating, he was the pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Astoria (NY) from 1960 to 1975.  During his time in Astoria, he married Mary Lou and his three sons were born.  From 1975 to 2004, he was the pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, NY. Upon retirement, Lou and Mary Lou moved to Drexel Hill, PA, and he continued volunteer pastoral duties at the Garden Church, Lansdowne, PA where he led Bible studies, and occasionally preached and played the organ. In 2017, they moved to the Methodist retirement community, the Simpson House, in Philadelphia, where he would continue to occasionally preach (his last sermon was preached just this past January) and play the organ; he also led very popular hymn sings for his fellow residents.

Rev Lou was the quintessential pastor:  a great communicator and preacher, supportive leader, empathetic counselor and friend to his flock.  He led youth groups at both of his churches, influencing the next generation of Christians.  He was a firm believer in community involvement and during his long pastoral career either participated in or chaired the boards of many organizations.  In Astoria, he was involved in the Martin de Porres Center, antipoverty programs, and was secretary of the City Society. In Mount Vernon, the organizations included Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Salvation Army, Riverdale Methodist Home, Seabury-Wilson Home, Meals on Wheels, Council of Churches (President), the Interfaith Clergy Association, Mount Vernon Hospital (trustee) and the Metropolitan District (UMC) Committee on Church Buildings and Locations.

Louis was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather who will be forever missed.

There will be a memorial service at the Simpson House Chapel on Saturday, June 29, 2019. There will be visitation from 1 to 2pm with the service starting at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Simpson House Benevolent Care Fund, 2101 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131.

Arrangements provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home

15 E. Fourth Street, Media, PA 19063

www.haganfuneralhome.com