Sebec – Benjamin B. Dow, 69, and Susan (Carey) Dow, 67, passed away suddenly March 7, 2024, in Sebec as the result of a motor vehicle accident along with their beloved golden retrievers, Cooper and Mattie. Ben was born November 6, 1954, in Monson, the son of Ralph Sr. and Lucy (Stanhope) Dow. Sue was born May 31, 1956, in Milo, the daughter of Galen C. and Florence Constance (Russell) Carey. Benny was a 1973 graduate of Foxcroft Academy where he played football and was part of the track team. After graduation, he worked in the forest industry up until the mid-90s before returning to FA to work in the maintenance department. After school hours, Benny could be found motivating players on the football team or crushing balls into the stratosphere for his softball girls to catch. He left FA after his girls graduated and began his final 19 year stint in the working world tinkering around Avalon Village in Hampden where he was adored by residents and staff alike. Susan was a 1974 graduate of Penquis Valley High School in Milo. In high school and through her 20s, Sue worked at DeLaite’s Restaurant in her hometown where she was a waitress. She returned to school at EMCC as a full time working mother of two earning her degree in medical radiography. Sue moved on from DeLaite’s to work at Eastern Maine Medical Center (Northern Light) in the x-ray department where she would remain for the next 30 years. Throughout that time period, she worked her way up the ladder into a variety of leadership roles before becoming the Director of Medical Imaging in 2008. Susan prided herself on being an effective leader and continually fought for the best interests of her staff, department, and the hospital up until her retirement in 2023. She valued and loved her work family tremendously. Benny had a playful, mischievous nature with a great sense of humor. He loved to tease with the best of them and, if you got him laughing, you most likely laughed until you cried. Despite recent seasons, he remained a lifelong New York Giants fan which, we’re sure, provided lots of ammo for his daily morning visits with Buddy, Mike, Morey, and many others at the corner store. Regardless of his preference for tank tops and shorts year round, Benny loved the outdoors and the quiet of the woods. He could often be found hunting or spending time at camp with his brothers (or bagging monster bucks in his secret spot). Benny was a humble man who was proud of where he came from. He appreciated what life had to offer and was quick to offer up his own appreciation to others. He loved the simple things in life. Benny would rather tinker and try to fix things a hundred times than buy them new. He loved a challenge and didn’t shy away from projects that required a bit of patience. Just last summer, he completed a 20 year labor-of-love project rebuilding a 1930 Model A Rat Rod from the ground up, which he was very proud of. Recently, Benny had perfected the art of bread making which he often sent pictures of just to prove “that’s how you do it, Sweetie.” Susan loved to laugh and spend time in the presence of good company. She rivaled Martha Stewart with her ability to decorate her home or office space and could often be found in your closest TJ Maxx or Home Goods looking for that next piece or ornament to buy. Although she was not a huge fan of swimming, Sue looked forward to any chance she could get to feel the sand between her toes, breathe in the salt air, and bask in the warmth of the sun. Susan was passionate about the passions of others and saw the good in everyone she encountered. She was someone who made you feel comfortable the instant you met her. Always mindful to listen before jumping to conclusions or offering advice, Sue was someone you could go to for any reason; she was a safe place for many. She never shied away from social situations and understood the importance of being present. With warm eyes and a beautiful smile, Sue often sent words of encouragement to others during hard times. She was the glue that held family and friends together. Sue was sentimental and thoughtful, often looking for the special moments that could be found in the most mundane of days. She was a magic maker and a bringer of light. The embodiment of kindness and love, Susan was simply living proof that angels walk this earth. Benny and Susan were married for nearly 47 years. They were soulmates - Benny & Sue, Susan & Benny. Outside of work, you rarely saw one without the other. They were devoted to family and committed to making time for loved ones whether through weekly lunches, holiday parties, or simple drop-ins. Their pride and joy was deeply rooted in the love they shared for their children, Kelly and Ashlee. They were dedicated parents who perfectly balanced the importance of strong values, work ethic, and grit with support and love. Ben and Sue spent countless hours watching their girls compete on the basketball court, and the field hockey and softball fields at Foxcroft Academy and Husson College often becoming a second set of parents to teammates. They were very proud to have their son-in-law, Jake, as part of their family openly commenting that he truly was the son they never had. If there was one thing that rivaled the pride they felt for their daughters, it was the joy Ben and Sue felt for their granddaughters Brynn, Hayley, Abby, and Ripley whom they loved more than all the stars in the sky. They looked forward to hosting weekend sleepovers at Gram and Grampa’s, Halloween costume designs, Easter egg hunts, and magical Christmas mornings. They were famous for treasure hunts, ice cream for dinner, and the viewing of not only wholesome Hallmark movies but questionable sci-fi shows like Finding BigFoot and Sharknado. Ben and Sue were committed to family above all else, never wanting to miss a sporting event, concert, a grandparents’ breakfast, or a quick lunch date just to get a hug. Benny and Susan were perfect examples of what is good in this world and well-loved in all facets of their lives. They were paired so well in life they could not be separated in death. “If a man could be two places at one time I'd be with you, tomorrow and today, beside you all the way. If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die, I'd spend the end with you. And when the world was through, then one by one the stars would all go out then you and I would simply fly away.” Ben and Susan are survived by their two daughters, Kelly Anderson and her husband, Jake, and Ashlee Dow; four grandchildren: Brynn, Hayley, Abby, and Ripley; Ben’s siblings, David Dow and his wife, Kathy, Ralph Dow Jr. and wife, Lynette, Andrew Dow and wife, Carol, Wayne's wife, Karen Dow, Danny Dow and wife, Gail, and Annette Richardson and husband, Mark; Susan’s siblings,, Brenda Karpowicz and husband, Jim, Debbie Johnson, Gayle Smillie and husband, Richard, David Carey and wife, Laurie, and Diane Peterson; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and the many friends and co-workers who were like family. They were predeceased by their parents; Ben’s brothers, Harold Pratt, Dickie Pratt, and Wayne Dow, and sister, Dottie; and Susan’s brother-in-law, Steve Johnson. Ben and Sue’s daughters would like to extend a special thank you to all first responders in Sebec and Dover-Foxcroft for their efforts on scene and wish love, peace, and healing to all affected by the accident. A graveside memorial service will be held in the Sebec Village Cemetery on Saturday, May 25th at 11:00 AM followed by a celebration of life at the Sebec Village Reading Room from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ben and Sue’s name to the Bangor Humane Society at https://www.bangorhumane.org/#donate, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401, or to Foxcroft Academy where an award fund will be set up for future qualifying graduates in Ben and Sue’s memory https://foxcroftacademy.org/giving, 975 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.