Kidder Memorial Home
Obituary: Gordon Lowe
Dateline: Shelburne
Gordon Lowe of Shelburne, a resident of Wake Robin and long-time Vermonter,
passed away peacefully with friends and loved ones nearby on Saturday, March 28,
2015. He was an avid outdoorsman, had a zest for life and for sharing his time with
friends and will be missed by many.
Gordon was born on May 17, 1920 in Schenectady, NY, to Jessie May (Martin) and
Gordon Lowe. He moved at an early age to North Adams, Massachusetts and
attended the local school system graduating from Drury High School in 1937. During
his high school years, Gordon played basketball, football, was captain of the track
team, ski raced, and was a drummer in the Celtic Band. Gordon went to work in the
Arnold Print Works upon graduation from High School.
In 1940, Gordon volunteered for the US Army and was accepted for the new ski troops program. He served
with the 10th Mountain Division and was part of the Aleutian campaign at Kiska, AK, taught mountain rockclimbing techniques and rescue in Lincoln, NH, skiing and winter warfare at Camp Hale, CO, mountain rescue
in WV, and participated in the Italian campaign from 1945 to the end of the war in Europe. The 10th
Mountain men were on their way to Japan from Italy when the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima - the
ship turned and headed back for the US.
After the war, Gordon returned to North Adams and married his high school sweetheart Jean Malcolm on
March 14, 1949. They moved to Stowe, VT in 1952, and built a house on the Mountain Road.
Gordon had a long career in the Stowe, VT ski industry. He started as a ski
instructor or the Mt. Mansfield Company and after 5 years became manager of the T-bar and State Shelter. He
was involved in building the new double chair lift at Spruce Peak and then became
manager of the Spruce Peak Area. The new 18-hole golf course was completed under his
supervision and he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Mt. Mansfield
Company until his retirement in 1975. Gordon was lifetime member of the American
Legion of Stowe and one of the first
members of the US Professional Ski Association.
Jean and Gordon moved to North Hero, VT in 1975, and built a new home on the
South Shore of North Hero where they had purchased property in
1966. They gardened, hunted, watched birds and waterfowl, and
raised Scottish Highland Cattle for 33 years. While living in the
Town of North Hero, Gordon was a Lister from 1978-1980 and served as Selectman to
the town from 1980 to 1987. He was a member of the County Extension Board and
served as Chair of the North Hero Cemetery Committee. He was active in the North
Hero Methodist Church where he served as Deacon along with another long-time
Deacon, Irving Blackwell.
In 2003 Gordon was presented the Vermont Hall of Fame Medal from Gov. Jim Douglas relating to his service
in The 10th Mountain Division and for helping to make the Ski Industry in Vermont what it is today. He was a
proud member of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division.
Gordon played golf throughout his life, and was a member of the Alburg County Club and the Champlain
Country Club for many years during retirement. He played with the VT Seniors around the state, and was
proud of his 3 “holes in one” and was very excited to shoot an 81 when he was “just” 81 years old!
Gordon’s, wife, Jean, pre-deceased him on 5/24/05 and in 2006 Gordon moved to
Wake Robin in Shelburne, VT, where he met and enjoyed many new friends. He was active with gardening,
playing pool, golf, and volunteering as a drummer for the Linden Music Hour.
A graveside service will be held at the Jerusalem Cemetery in North Hero on or about May 17, 2015; with
details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in his memory to the Visiting Nurse Association/Hospice, 1110 Prim
Road, Colchester, VT 05446 www.vnacares.org
Arrangements are under the direction of The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton 05488
To offer online condolences please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com
89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, Vermont 05488*(802) 868-3331*Fax(802)868-7000