CASCO- In Casco on January 23, 2022, Rev. LeRoy Leander Lowell beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, and minister passed away peacefully at home.
LeRoy was born on July 24, 1942, in Portland to Albert and Muriel Shaw Lowell of Long Island, Maine. LeRoy attended Portland High School, went into the Navy in 1961 at the age of 18 and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1981. While in the Navy LeRoy earned his marine engineer license and went to sea as a marine engine for the Military Sealift Command for five years. He then returned to his home on Long Island in Casco Bay and fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a lobster fisherman.
In 1990 he had a heart attack and turned over his boat and business to his son Jeff. It was during this time LeRoy pursued a need for physical and spiritual healing and made strong commitments to himself and God
His new path led him to Unity Church of Greater Portland where God brought him to meet his wife Patricia Bessey or “Patty Girl” as LeRoy would call her for nearly 33 years. He would often say we are connected at the heart and the hip.
Together LeRoy and Pat made a strong commitment to God and while well into their 40’s left their deep roots in Maine and headed west to spend 3 years attending classes at Unity’s ministerial school at Unity School of Christianity in Lee’s Summit, Mo where they both became ordained ministers.
In 2008 he semi-retired. They had been living and serving a church they founded in Virginia Beach, VA for ten years and they moved back to Maine.
From 2011 until he began having health challenges he served as the “following” minister with his wife Pat at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth (formerly Unity Church of Greater Portland), the church they met at, married in and came back to serve.
An important part of LeRoy’s life was his recovery in the program of Alcoholic Anonymous. In 1977 while in the Navy he got clean and sober from alcohol and drugs. Throughout the next 44years he sponsored and befriended many men in recovery. The program of AA was as much a part of his spiritual life as was being a Unity minister. LeRoy was a walking demonstration of the promises being fulfilled in the program. He was there to be counted on for anyone who was serious about getting sober.
LeRoy was a lover of nature. For the first 48 years of his life, he lived on the ocean’s shore or was at sail in its waters. There was a time when he was an avid hiker, fly fisherman, and bicyclist. While living in Virginia Beach he joined the Fat Frogs biking community and logged over 8,000 miles on his bicycle in one year. After retirement his adventurous spirit led him to the work of Bill Plotkin and Soulcraft. He did a yearlong program that took him on a five-day vision fast. He came home passionate about this inner work and brought the teachings to his Unity community.
What was most outstanding about LeRoy was his smile, his open heart, and his generous and compassionate spirit. Everyone was welcome at his table.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, his daughter Ingrid Anne in 1982; granddaughter Shelby MacVane and his sister Anita Tuttle in 2016.
He is survived by his wife Pat (his Patty Girl) and his children Lee Lowell of Portland, Lauri Burns and her husband Danny of Windham, Jeff Lowell and his wife Lori, of South Portland and Joe Bessey of Lyman, along with 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life Fire Circle held this spring at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
Anyone wishing to make a donation in LeRoy’s honor can do so to Unity Center for Spiritual Growth 54 River Rd Windham, Maine 04062.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
- Celebrating the Lives of Veterans -