Dr. Arthur Bower

HAVERHILL - Arthur John Bower, aged 89 years, passed away peacefully at his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Seabrook this past Friday with loved ones who care for him close at hand. He was a devoted brother, friend, husband, father, uncle, health care provider, grandfather, companion, great-grandfather, and in later years, a new friend to many, all of whom he loved, and who loved him in return.

Born in Lawrence on May 23, 1935, he was the son of Alfred and Laura (Gattenby) Bower. He was Married to Mary Alice Williams of Bradford for 48 years, and then after her death, a steadfast companion to Grace Torisi Hamilton of Methuen for the past eighteen plus years. He is predeceased by two of his sons, Stephen Bower of Methuen, and Mark Bower of Haverhill, and grandson Trevor Corde. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law George and Laurine Bower of Newton, Massachusetts; his children Arthur and Linda Bower of Methuen; daughter-in-law Jennifer Hamilton Bower of Methuen; Margaret and George Corde of Seabrook, New Hampshire; Elizabeth Bower of Methuen; Thomas and Martha Bower of Newburyport; daughter-in-law Karen Bower of Haverhill; and Brian Bower and Jessica Thrower of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arthur attended Lawrence High School; graduated from Merrimack College, and earned a DDS degree from New York University in 1961. He was a good athlete, clever card player, and very hard worker. Arthur was also a loyal and dedicated husband, father, dentist, and active member of his community.  He practiced dentistry for over 50 years in the Bradford section of Haverhill where his office was a fixture on South Main Street across from Bradford College. He raised his family in Haverhill and was an active member of his community serving on various boards, the Haverhill City Council, and even as president of said council.

He enjoyed an active membership at Haverhill Country Club for several decades, but his true summer-time passion lay entertaining family and friends at his cottage on Seabrook Beach. Fourth of July bonfires and Saturday afternoon cookouts brought back memories of August vacations at the south end of Salisbury to where he and his fellow Lawrencians faithfully migrated every summer.

All who knew him considered him a “best” friend because he treated them as such. Be assured, in actuality, each were “the best” to him. He will be greatly missed and always fondly remembered.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Services will begin Thursday in the funeral home at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main Street, Haverhill at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in St. James Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Arthurs’s memory to Sacred Hearts Parish Food Pantry, 48 S. Chestnut Street, Haverhill, MA 01835. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com 

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