Trot Insider has learned that Donald Thomas Lowes of Princeton, Ont. passed away on Tuesday, April 26 at the Brantford General Hospital surrounded by the love and support of his family. He was in his 77th year.
Much loved partner of Annette Jacobson. Predeceased by his wife Jacqueline Rita Lowes (nee. Atlee) in 1999 and daughter Pamela Lowes - Delaney (2010). Beloved father of Robert Lowes and his partner Debbie Bonney of Paris and Donald J. Lowes and his wife Kerry of Princeton. Cherished grandfather of Jeffrey (Tanya), Donna, Sarah and Zachary. Great-grandfather of Averie and Tyler. Loving brother of Margaret Somerville and the late Jim Lowes (2010). Don will be dearly missed by his extended family and many dear friends.
Don was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy in the early 1960s for five years. Don started his career as a Stationary Engineer with the Brantford General Hospital, where he worked for 10 years. He then moved to the W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind in Brantford, where he worked for 20 years and retired in 2000. He was a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #90 in Brantford and the Navy Club of Brantford.
Don had a love for harness racing and was a proud member of the Ontario Harness Horse Association. After retiring from engineering, he returned to his passion of racing Standardbreds. He jogged his horses at the Paris Fairgrounds, where he enjoyed coffee time with the other horsemen. His stable included pacers Deuces And Jacks (1:51.2), Future Champion (1:51.3) and his homebred pride and joy Future Million (1:50.3).
His kindness and generosity will be remembered by family and friends.
Friends will be welcomed at the Dwayne D. Budgell Funeral Home, 1105 Rest Acres Road, on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, April 30 at 10 a.m. The funeral service will begin with a Royal Canadian Legion Service under the auspices of RCL Branch #90. In accordance with Don’s wishes, cremation will follow the funeral service. Immediately following the service, the family invites you to join with them at the R.C.L. Branch #90, 21 Oak Street in Brantford, for a time of refreshment and sharing. In Don's memory, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.budgellfuneralhome.ca.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Don Lowes.
I became acquainted with Don
I became acquainted with Don when he first got involved with harness racing, a mutual friend at the coffee shop introduced us. One of his first horses(if not the first) was Future Champion, a mare whose pedigree I was personally very familiar with and Don was anxious to learn all he could. He did it all from the start, care, training and owning and had remarkable success right off. My condolences to the family, rest easy old friend.
Brian Webster