Image: In Memory of Dave Rowan Facebook / Dave Rowan (left) with his best friend, Doug Jewell. Rowan, a longtime Chilliwack resident who operated Dave's Towing and ran for Chilliwack mayor in 2018, passed last week after a short battle with lung cancer. He's being remembered by friends and community members for his multiple acts of kindness and generosity.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Longtime Chilliwack resident passes

Longtime Chilliwack resident known for tow truck business, generous deeds passes

Nov 4, 2024 | 9:41 AM

CHILLIWACK — Friends and community members are mourning the passing of a longtime Chilliwack resident who was known for his tow truck business and countless acts of generosity and kindness.

Dave Rowan, who operated Dave’s Towing and its signature green-on-black branded tow truck for many years in Chilliwack, passed last Wednesday, October 30 after a short and difficult battle with lung cancer, according to Raina Lloyd, a close friend.

A parade was held Sunday, November 3 north of downtown Chilliwack in Rowan’s memory. Multiple tow trucks honked their horns and activated their lights during the parade to honour Rowan, who was born in Chilliwack. A similar parade was held prior to Rowan’s passing as well.

“He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. They were able to pull together a quick tribute parade for him before he passed,” said Lloyd, who has battled cancer herself. “He was one of the first ones at my door with my cancer. He was so thankful to everyone. He was a huge blessing and inspirational to all that know him. It was a privilege to be by his side. They just put on a huge tribute to him. His tow truck sat on his front lawn while many from other companies and friends paraded by with the love of his life and all us friends surrounding her. It was beautiful.”

Image: Raina Lloyd / Raina Lloyd with Dave Rowan.

Highway 1 incident

Truck rolls over on e/b Highway 1 in Chilliwack, causing extensive delays

5h ago

CP NewsAlert: Elections BC says box of 861 votes uncounted, others votes unreported

6h ago

Winter Storm Warning

Winter storm warning issued for Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt

6h ago

Rowan is the same individual that ran for Chilliwack mayor back in 2018. He gained a reputation among friends and family for giving back to the Chilliwack community through a yearly Christmas fund for single parents, or by helping families and individuals who were in a tight spot financially. In May 2022, he dropped off 10 bikes and one scooter to fulfill the requests of children from Central Elementary School in Chilliwack.

“He is a man that gives to everyone,” Lloyd wrote in an online fundraising appeal from late September 2024. “From his yearly Christmas fund for single moms, to making sure kids have lots at NWMRA (Northwest Mud Racing Association) races, and of course, his favourite time of the year, Halloween. He makes sure that everyone around him is taken care of. He’s at your door with cash in hand when things are rough.”

Multiple people paid tribute to Rowan on a Facebook group entitled “In Memory of Dave Rowan.”

“He was full of love to all the right people and helped many out in a pinch,” said friend Jess Lee on social media. “Dave had a soft spot for kids, especially special needs children and would make sure they won any contest.”

Another friend, Adelaide Megan, said Rowan became a family friend through her uncle, but that bond was ultimately reinforced when Megan herself needed a tow.

“He became a family friend with helping out my uncle with his racer wingnut, to helping me tow my Durango to Hope when I couldn’t afford it, to coming when no other tow company would come to help unlock a van at my apartment that the mother couldn’t get into to get the kid out of on a warm day,” she said. “Dave was a sweet soul who would help anyone he possibly could.”