Allan Rowe, Dartmouth South MLA, dead at 59
Allan Rowe, the MLA for Dartmouth South, has died.
According to a release from Premier Stephen McNeil, the 59-year-old TV host turned politician died Monday morning.
Rowe suffered a ruptured aneurysm when he was shovelling snow last month and was admitted to hospital.
"On behalf of all Nova Scotians I want to express my profound sympathies to the family," said McNeil.
Rowe worked as a roughneck on the ill-fated drill rig Ocean Ranger, before starting his career in news.
"One of my first tasks was to report on the sinking of the Ocean Ranger with all hands lost, many of whom were close friends of mine," states his website.
Many people still recognize him as the evening anchor on Global Television's local supperhour newscast. He retired from journalism in the summer of 2012 and was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in the 2013 general election.
"Allan will always be remembered for his deep commitment to community and his incredible capacity for hard work," said McNeil.
"He was reliable and a good fellow. Just a good guy to work with. He was very even tempered," said Bruce Graham, who worked with Rowe both at ATV and Global.
"You know what it can be like in our business, spirits can go up and down, but he was a very level-headed guy. Good fellow to work with and I feel very sorry for his wife. She's had her own health issues I know and my sympathy goes out to her."
Other politicians remembered Rowe as a well-liked man.
"Allan brought his well-earned reputation for honesty, fairness and integrity to the House of Assembly," said Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie. "Allan never let partisan differences change him. He was very well-respected and sincerely liked by our whole Caucus. He will be greatly missed."
"Rowe was a very genuine and sincere person who cared deeply for his community, and as a result, was highly respected by his colleagues on both sides of the House," said NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald in a release.
Rowe's online biography includes details of his health and that of his wife and one of his two grandchildren.
"Yvonne and I, and our grandson as well, have battled a few health issues in recent years. Yvonne being diagnosed with breast cancer and diabetes, myself with prostate cancer and our grandson with epilepsy," the bio reads.
Rowe's duties as caucus whip have been reassigned to fellow backbencher Brendan Maguire.
Condolences are pouring in online for Rowe.
