Obituary: Michael Rowley, 1968-2015, Westford

Published May 25, 2015 at 4:00 a.m. | Updated May 25, 2015 at 11:05 a.m.

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Michael Rowley

Michael Rowley, 46, passed away May 9, 2015 at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, VT. He was born in Burlington, VT, to Leonard and Aloyse Rowley. He grew up in Essex Junction, VT, and attended Mount Mansfield Union High School. Later, he joined the U.S. Army, trained at the U.S. Infantry School, and served three years as an Infantry Team Leader in the 7th Division.

Following his years in the Army, Michael became a Manager and Assistant Marketing Director of a local McDonald’s, and later a Unix Operator at the Chittenden Bank. He enrolled at the Community College of Vermont and received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Science. During his college years, he joined Allscripts. He later continued his education at Champlain College, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

Michael has worked for the past eight years as a Primary Support Consultant for Touch Works Electronic Health Records. He regularly met with system, database, and healthcare administrators, as well as medical records technicians, nurses, and doctors. He often made site visits and presentations to large groups of people.

Michael loved spending time with his loving wife Kim and their many cats. His varied interests included gaming, gardening, swimming, playing guitar, electronics, internet technology, abstract art, stained glass, and building projects. He was actively developing virtual reality goggles for Allscripts. Michael was truly creative and a lifelong learner.

Michael is survived by his loving wife Kim Rowley of Westford, VT; his mother, Aloyse Rowley of Burlington, VT; his father, Leonard Rowley, step-mother, Pat Rowley, and step-siblings of Magnolia, TX; his mother-in-law, Charlene Gehlbach; aunts and uncles including Arlene and Michael O’Rourke of VT, Francis and Jan Fraga of VT, Thomas and Eileen Fraga of VT, Margaret Fitzgerald of CO, Louis and Linda Fraga of MA, Christine and Peter Thornton of ME, and numerous cousins. Michael’s quiet, easy-going ways will be missed by all.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, May 17 at St. Pius Church in Essex Center. Visitation hours were from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, May 16 at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main Street, Winooski, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to Spectrum Youth & Services, 31 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, or at Spectrumvt.org.