Milford "Miff" Dow Obituary (1945 - 2023)

Presque Isle - Milford F. "Miff" Dow, 77, passed away on April 14, 2023 surrounded by his family. Born in Caribou, Maine, Miff was the son of the late Milford E. and Zula (Burden) Dow. He grew up in Presque Isle, where he learned the importance and necessity of hard work at an early age. Miff graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1963 where he was active in sports and an excellent dancer, so much so that he was voted “Mr. Swing 1963”. He was lucky enough to make friendships in high school that would last his entire life. After high school, Miff joined the United States Navy. He was a plankowner on the U.S.S. Biddle, the ship on which he served during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after serving from 1964 to 1968, after which he enrolled at Husson College in Bangor. He funded his education with the GI Bill and a dizzying array of part and full- time jobs before graduating with a degree in Business Administration. Miff married his wife Roberta "Bobbie" (Palmer) Dow on May 13, 1972. After stints in Central and Southern Maine, they moved back to Presque Isle for good. Not long thereafter, Miff started what would become an almost 40 year career in the Maine potato industry, the majority of which was spent at Maine Farmers Exchange in Presque Isle. Well respected by his peers, he specialized in seed potato sales along the East Coast until retiring from MFX in 2015. Over the course of his career, he traveled to Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia and other places, building connections and relationships along the way. He was a proud father who supported his kids and celebrated their successes, but also had the fortitude to sometimes let them fail. “Grampie” as he was known to his grandchildren, was a loving and approachable grandfather who adored Allison and Sam. He would do anything for them and was always happy to take part in any game or task they had planned. Miff loved the simple things in life. To him, spending time with his family, neighbors and friends was time well spent. He enjoyed skiing (whether it be at Quoggy Jo (sometimes with one of his children on his shoulders) or out west in Colorado where the mountains seemed to stretch to meet the sky), golfing (eventually realizing that the secret to having fun playing golf is to simply not keep score), mowing the lawn on his riding mower, watching sports either in person or on TV (though his co-workers jokingly said he was not allowed back at Gillette after he attended a game with his son that turned out to be the worst home loss in the history of the stadium), eating a red hotdog (ideally grilled, but there’s no such thing as a bad red hotdog), driving his truck around town or just doing a project around the house. He had a particular fondness for Boothbay and spending time there. He was neat, organized, and had a great sense of humor. He had an eye for space and design and enjoyed sharing that side of himself with his daughter Mia. He was a modest man who didn't spoil (or particularly enjoy talking about) himself but was only too happy to help and support others. He received a cancer diagnosis in 2007 but refused to feel sorry for himself or let it define him. He defied the odds and lived for 16 years after his diagnosis, a testament to his strength and determination. Those who knew him will miss his laugh and the wry, gap-toothed grin that would emerge from behind his trademark mustache whenever someone cracked a joke, told him how much he looked like Mike Ditka, or when his phone buzzed because a friend wanted to propose a silly wager on the gametime wind speed at Fenway or some other foolishness. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be, and already is, greatly missed. He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Vona Steinman. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Roberta "Bobbie" Dow of Presque Isle; son, Joshua Dow and wife Karen of Falmouth; daughter, Mia Dow and husband Patrick Markley of South Portland; grandchildren Allison and Samuel Dow of Falmouth, sister, Lois Glatz and husband Les of Carnegie, Pennsylvania; and brother-in-law, Robert Palmer, Jr. and wife Julianna of Presque Isle. Miff’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Miff and Bobbie’s close friends and neighbors for their unwavering support in recent years, particularly in the days and weeks leading up to his passing. The family would also like to express their gratitude for the care, kindness and empathy shown by the staff at Maine Medical Center in Portland and Gosnell Memorial House in Scarborough. A memorial gathering will be held in Presque Isle at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Miff's memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. Those desiring may make memorial donations to: C.A.N.C.E.R., an organization that provides support to individuals and families in Aroostook County affected by cancer, at PO Box 811, Presque Isle, Maine 04769.