Steve Payne August 6, 2014

Craig Lowe, Mike Holmes' painter, dies while scuba diving off Cape Breton

Canadian Contractor

Craig Lowe shared his passion about the professional painting business with the readers of PRO PAINTER magazine, last year. He said he loved to train painters in application techniques and business skills and show them to how provide exceptional customer service.

Craig Lowe, a Mississsauga, Ont. painter (Lowe Painting) who appeared on Mike Holmes’ TV shows – and who also ran the TV star’s Holmes Referred certified contractor program – died August 2 while scuba diving at Asby Bay, Cape Breton, NS.

Lowe, 41, went missing Saturday night after heading out on his own for a solo dive – after having, reportedly, dived during the day with others. His body was found close to his boat, 300 metres from shore. The site of the dives was, reportedly, the location of a well-known 18th century shipwreck which may contain still undiscovered treasure. Lowe was an experienced scuba diver, described on his company’s website, where there is a tribute, as a “treasure hunter, lover of life, and passionate adventure seeker.” The specific cause of his death – he was diving in shallow water reported as about 4 metres deep – was to be the focus of a coroner’s inquest in Halifax.

Canadian Contractor‘s sister publication, Pro Painter, featured Lowe in its Spring 2013 issue, in an article about the launch of the Holmes Referred program. At the time of the interview, Lowe was busy signing up the first batch of contractors – mostly painters – into the program. At the same time, he was still the owner/operator of Lowe Painting, which he had operated very successfully for more than 20 years.

During the interview, Lowe talked passionately about why he loved the painting business, how he had followed in his mother’s footsteps (she was a decorator), and how much he enjoyed training painters on techniques, business skills and – above all – exceptional customer service.

Mike Holmes said in a statement: “I have been with working with Craig since day one of Holmes on Holmes. He was a generous, dedicated and talented man who was always willing to lend a hand.”

Lowe is survived by his wife, Kaley, and four children.

The celebration of Craig Lowe’s life will take place at Campbellville, ON, on Monday, August 18th.

Details of this memorial gathering, and a tribute to Lowe, are on the Lowe Painting website here.

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