Obituary

Claire Poirier Rowley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24, with her loving family at her side. Born in Adams on December 22, 1927, the first of Archie and Florence Poirier’s four children, Claire first resided in a home on Marsh Lane, next door to the Adams Wet Wash laundry, which was established by Archie and is now known as ALADCO. Reaping the benefits of a successful business, Archie and Florence were able to send Claire and all three of her siblings to private high schools and colleges. 

While one might suspect that along with the privilege of a fine private education, some element of snobbery might ensue, Claire liked to remind others that her father often reminded her that he washed other people’s dirty socks for a living. Hence, Claire remained well grounded throughout her long life – and always proud of her deep Adams roots, taking comfort in knowing that she’d one day be laid to rest in the same town as her parents, her maternal grandparents (Mose & Carrie Molleur), and her father-in-law and mother-in-law (Leo & Anna Rowley).

Claire spent most of her younger years on East Street, after the family moved from Marsh Lane. And it was there, while still in college, in the summer of 1947, that she met and fell in love with James Leo Rowley, to whom she was married for 48 years, up until the time of his death. She and Jim founded Rowley Fuel Company in 1951 and settled into their own new home on Edward Avenue, where they raised six children. 

An integral part of the success of the business, Claire was responsible for answering Rowley Fuel’s second phone line, which rang at Edward Avenue. She took orders, dispatched drivers, and in the early years, just one driver, Jim. And this she did while, for the most part, single-handedly overseeing an abundance of children. And doing whatever needed to be done around the house, with gusto! – like painting and wallpapering, and taking on any repair job she thought she could handle, which were most. Not to mention feeding a family of eight, in a small Cape Cod kitchen, where she prepared 24 full-course meals a day. Entirely dedicated to taking care of the family business, her home, her children, and, of course, Jim – Claire would often say that the smell of oil on her husband after a long day on the fuel truck was perfume to her nose! 

Despite her remarkably busy life, Claire somehow also found the time to enjoy the friendship of her close neighbors – Pat and Bill Linscott, Ed and Edith Recchia, Babe and Ellie Ouellette, and Dick and Joan Ouellette. And she managed to make time to sew clothes for her children (and the dresses for all the bridesmaids at two of her daughter’s weddings) – and to express her artistic side through her painting, with her favorite subject being her beloved Mount Greylock. 

Once their children were grown, life became a little calmer for Claire and Jim, who turned over much of the management of Rowley Fuel to their son, Timo. In the late-1970s Claire took on a part-time job as a Sales Ambassador with Eastern Airlines, the compensation for which was free air travel. Claire and Jim took full advantage of this opportunity and over the next couple of decades truly delighted in visiting some 20 countries, including Ireland, several times. They vacationed in the Caribbean Islands, toured most of Europe, and were there in Vatican City when the white smoke declared John Paul II as pope, and there in Tiananmen Square just days before the student protests of 1989. All in all, Claire and Jim enjoyed glorious retirement years – traveling, attending Boston pro-sports games, and spending precious time with their 14 grandchildren! 

Following Jim’s death in 1996, Claire was thrust into the role of leader of the family, which she performed graciously, generously, and with aplomb, hosting countless visits from her grandchildren, as well as putting on Christmas and Thanksgiving holiday celebrations that filled the Edward Ave house to the rafters. And having never given up her love of travel, Claire went on many Baltic and Mediterranean cruises with her son, Mickey, or her dear friend, Pat Linscott. 

In addition to her love of family, friends, and travel, Claire Rowley loved to sing. She sang on WMNB radio when she was in her early teens, she sang with the Hilltown Singers, and she sang with the Catholic Choir of Adams. Boy, did she love to sing, and she sang beautifully! Her most joyful moments were when she and her family were gathered around the Christmas tree, belting out Christmas carols. She loved to sing, and she loved to cook, winning raves from her family for her goulash, and delectable spaghetti sauce. But mostly she enjoyed cooking foods she came to love through her Canadian ancestry, such as tourtiere (meat pie), and split pea soup. 

Claire was proud of her involvement in Democratic Party politics.  She served both on the Adams Democratic Town Committee and the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.  Claire also served several terms as an Adams representative to the Mt. Greylock State Reservation Advisory Council.

Claire Rowley didn’t have a bad word to say about anybody. She loved deeply and was deeply loved by all who were fortunate enough to know her well. She was the kind matriarch of an extensive family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, yet always had the time and inclination to welcome the love and attention of her nieces and nephews and their children, and there are many! In her later years, Claire’s memory of events and specifics failed her, but she never failed to express her delightfully charming sense of humor and her appreciation for the love and care that surrounded her. 

Claire was predeceased by her three siblings, whom she adored and to whom she was a loyal, faithful, and loving big sister: Virginia Harvey, Henry Poirier, and Alice Shea. 

Claire is survived by her six children: Catherine Capizzi (Michael) of Concord, Ginger Lamb (Jerry) of Dalton, Timothy Rowley (Laura), of Adams, James Mickey Rowley (David) of Philadelphia, Suzanne Viani (Michael) of Concord NH, and Carrie Kelly (Jack) of Wakefield. 

She is also survived by her fourteen grandchildren: Jessica Capizzi (Andy Ravalico) of Scarsdale NY, Carrie Barnes (Phin) of San Francisco, Katrina Capizzi (Max Hanna) of Concord, Michael Capizzi (Amanda) of Boston, Jeremy Lamb (Dani) of Miami, Ryan Lamb of Pittsfield, Brittany Lamb (Jarrod) of Lowell, Erin Rowley (Jeff Dalzell) of Portland ME, Eric Viani of Concord NH, Julia Breen (Pat) of Wenham, Emily Viani of Boston, Sean Kelly (Katie) of Wakefield, Caroline Smith (Steve) of Reading, and Conor Kelly (Jamie) of North Reading, and her step-granddaughter Tiffany Ferriouolo (Caitlin) of New Haven CT.

And her sixteen greatgrandchildren: Luca, Alessia, & Sienna Ravalico, Margaret Barnes, John Hanna, Catherine Capizzi, Brayden & Tyler Lamb, Rylynn Lamb, Leo & Oscar Dalzell, William Breen, Jack & Claire Kelly, Vivienne Smith, and Harper James Kelly; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Claire’s family is truly grateful for the compassionate care that Bernadette Kozik, Lisa Dix, and Helina Anim provided for Claire in her final months, and for the exceptional care and support that the staff of Berkshire Medical Center provided in her final days.  

Calling hours are 4 to 7pm on Tuesday, June 6, and 10 to 11:30am on Wednesday, June 7, at Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac Street, Adams. A funeral mass will take place at noon on Wednesday at Notre Dame Church in Adams, followed by interment at Bellevue Cemetery, and a collation in the meadow at the Linscott residence at 113 West Road in Adams.

Gifts in Claire’s memory can be made to the Claire & Jim Rowley scholarship fund, which was originally established as the Jim Rowley scholarship fund in 1996 and has since awarded more than $13,000  to benefit college bound Hoosac Valley High School students, based on need and academic achievement.  Mail checks to PO Box 184, Adams, MA 01220 or Venmo @James-Rowley-19