Byron Andrew Crowe, 87

Spruce Head, Maine

Byron Andrew Crowe died peacefully in his summer home in Spruce Head, Maine, on Nov. 19, 2019. Byron was born in Mt. Vernon, New York, and grew up in Coventry, R.I. He graduated from Dean Academy, in Franklin, Mass., in 1949. In 1952 Byron married his first love, Ruth Broome. Together they raised three beautiful children and had many great adventures on boats and motorcycles.

He never missed a teaching moment with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, working with them on many projects from building wooden boats to creating the famous “Buoy Man” of Rackliff Island. Byron was lucky in life to have the love and companionship of two wonderful women. Following Ruth’s passing he met his second love, Betty Leach, spending two decades together.

During the Korean War Byron served as a corporal in the U.S. Army stationed in France. After discharge from the army he returned to Coventry to take over the operation of his father’s lace mill, manufacturing Leavers Lace. He would go on to start up additional lace factories in Rhode Island and Maine. In the late 1950s he designed and constructed his first rope machines with the help of his mentor and friend, “Old Man” Boeglin.

In the 1960s he began Crowe Rope Company in Warren, Maine. Crowe Rope eventually employed 500, its fleet of trucks delivering rope across the country. At its height, Crowe was the largest supplier of twisted rope to the U.S. Government.

Byron helped revolutionize the lobster industry in Maine with the introduction of the first hydraulic pot haulers and synthetic rope to lobstermen up and down the coast. The Hydro Slave pot Hauler and Hydro Slave power steering units that he designed are still in use around the world.

Byron was a true entrepreneur and inventor, and held many patents. An exceptionally creative man, he loved to design equipment and figure out ways to do things better. He was still going strong building machinery in his garage this past year. He spent the last six months of his life writing his life story. From the time he built his first wooden rowboat at the age of 12, Byron’s favorite place on earth was the waters and islands off the coast of Maine, especially around Clark Island, where he spent his boyhood summers. He loved nothing more than dropping anchor to spend the night near an island, and getting up early in the morning to dig clams until the tide changed. He was still digging up until his 85th year. In his final days, looking out over the bay towards Clark Island brought him great peace and solace. He was honored to be named as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Byron is survived by his daughters Sharon and Adreth, and son Andrew.