John "Steve" Stephen Dow, 55, of Barrington, NH, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH after a brief illness.

Born on July 6, 1969 in Portsmouth, NH, he was a son of John and Beverly (Leavitt) Dow. Steve grew up in Eliot, Maine, graduating from Marshwood High School in 1987.

He was employed just out of school working for Hudson RPM Distributors as a dedicated and hardworking employee for 36 years.

In his free time, Steve loved going to concerts with friends to see his favorite heavy metal/rock bands and participating in Civil War reenactments. He had a passion for learning and history, specifically his family's genealogy, being an active and contributing member of the National Association of Leavitt Families.

He dedicated his life researching and writing a book to honor the memory of his third great-grandfather and all soldiers who served alongside him with the 27th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, with plans to finish the book later this year.

Steve was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Reginald and Alice (Pridham) Dow of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and maternal grandparents Norman and Alice (Smith) Leavitt of Madison, Maine.

He is survived by his loving parents John and Beverly Dow of Eliot, Maine; son John Dow of Barrington, New Hampshire; sister Hope (Matthew) Horne of South Berwick, Maine; brother Russell (Amanda) Dow of Wells, Maine; niece Amber (Calvert) Schaefer of Jackson, Wyoming; nephew and niece Taylor and Madison Dow of Wells, Maine; beloved cat Scrapper; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends are invited to visit with Steve's family on Saturday August 17, 2024 from 3-5 pm in the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery Mane 03904, where a funeral will be celebrated at 5pm.
Steve was a lover of animals, regularly donating to local animal shelters and provided a loving home for many adopted cats throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society - Cocheco Valley, 221 Country Farm Road, Dover, NH, 03820. Care for the Dow family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.