John M. Dowd

John M Dowd

North Middletown, NJ - John M Dowd, 71, of N. Middletown, NJ, along with his dog Charlie,died tragically in a house fire on April 02,2021.

He was one of six children, born to John and Margaret Dowd of the Hilton Park section of Middletown.

After graduating Middletown High School in 1967 he planned on becoming a funeral director.

He was drafted into the Army, and served as a combat medic in Viet Nam from July, 27,1969 until July 22,1970.

John worked as funeral director for Scott Funeral Home in Belford where he also lived. He then worked for a highway road crew, Petco, and Wiley Publishing before his retirement.

The experiences he lived through in Viet Nam haunted him for years. He suffered PTSD and Survivor Guilt. He often wished he had been KIA. After many years he finally was convinced that VA benefits and care were things he was entitled to and not a hand out. He attended group therapy and went from never being able to talk about it, to becoming an open book and sharing his memories with others. He purchased his first home with a big yard for Charlie. Then he began to show signs of other illnesses that affected his ability to function fully. He told his niece that he was not afraid to die. He had a strong belief in God.

John will be remembered well for his outrageous sense of humor and wit, his love of animals, collecting antiques, caring for his many plants, amazing talent as a softball pitcher for years, and passion for the Giants and Yankees. John always had great respect for the dead, often maintaining the grave sites of his family members.and pets alike. He also understood struggling to make ends meet and tipped his bartenders and waitstaff heavily when he was finally able.

Surviving are his three sisters, Rita (McManus) Patricia (Carrol) and Margaret (Taintor) his brother Joseph, who lost his battle with Cancer only a month later. Also surviving are his Aunt Martha (Sissy) Shalvatis and many nieces,nephews and cousins. He loved his family dearly.

Gone before John are his loving parents,His brother James Dowd and his nephews Christopher Flanagan and Richard Wilson.

A memorial mass will be held for what would be his 72nd birthday on August 5, 2021, 12:30 PM at St Frances De Salles Church in Bennington VT. all are welcome to attend in person or virtually via a live stream that will be on the Parish website Sacred Heart-St. Francis DeSales Following the Mass, a celebration of his life will be held at the home of his niece and God daughter Marge Wilson in Grafton NY.