Today, Dec. 2, 2009, is Beatrice and Augustus Rowe's 65th wedding anniversary.

Augustus Taylor Rowe physician, professor of family practice and former provincial minister of health, was born in Heart’s Content, Newfoundland.

Dr. Rowe completed grade XI at Heart’s Content High School, Heart’s Content, and then one year of pre-medical studies at Memorial College, St. John’s. His studies were interrupted when Dr. Rowe enlisted in the army at the outbreak of World War II. He reached the rank of Warrant Officer. He met Beatrice Alice Rowe while serving in London.
They were married in London in 1944 making Beatrice a war bride.

Dr. Rowe graduated with an M.D. and qualified as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1953. In the same year he and Beatrice returned to his roots in Newfoundland where they had two children, David and Jane.

Dr. Rowe began his medical career in 1954 as a general practitioner in Carbonear, Newfoundland. He was a founding member of the Carbonear Community Hospital, which opened in 1957 and was the Medical Director from 1957 - 1971. He resigned to become a Progressive Conservative member of the House of Assembly for Carbonear when the Progressive Conservative party defeated the Liberal government of former Premier Joseph R. Smallwood. Dr. Rowe was appointed Minister of Health in January 1972 and again after re-election in March 1972. He held the position until 1975 when he resigned at age 55 from Premier Frank Moores’ Progressive Conservative cabinet.

The family moved to St. John's and then, after retiring, Beatrice and Augustus followed their children to Toronto where they now reside.   Submitted By: Tammy McBrien