Edward C. "Eddie" McDowell

Edward C. "Eddie" McDowell, born October 13, 1934, in New Haven, CT, died on July 4, 2024. He was 89.
Eddie grew up on the south shore of Long Island in New York State, the fifth child of sixteen. He graduated from Patchogue High School in 1952 and soon after married his true love Joan (Cox) McDowell, whom he lovingly referred to as Joanie. They were married for 55 years until Joan's passing in 2007, and they raised three children.
Eddie co-owned and ran a sporting goods store (Elwood Trading Post) on Long Island until he decided to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a farmer and moved his family from Patchogue to a dairy farm upstate. He and Joan later moved back to Medford, NY, until moving to Shawano, WI, where he spent his last 20 years.
Eddie enjoyed fishing with his brothers and good friend Ross. Whether on the shores of Long Island or the quiet lakes of Wisconsin, fun rivalries always ensued to see who would catch the bigger fish.
He also enjoyed planning and planting a beautiful array of flowers with his wife Joan, which earned them the nickname "Grandpa and Grandma Flowers."
Edward is survived by his two daughters Wendy McDowell (Amherst, MA) and Linda (Frank) Quartaro (Antigo, WI); five grandchildren Daniel, Isabel, Dominic, Damian, and Luke; nine siblings Ronald, Florence, Margaret, Dennis, Joan, Warren, Thomas, James, and Maureen; and many nephews and nieces who adored their Uncle Eddie.
He was preceded by his parents Harold and Gudrun, his loving wife Joan, his son Timothy, his granddaughter Desireé, and six siblings Harold, Robert, Elaine, Richard, Lorraine, and Shyrle.
A memorial service for Eddie will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday August 14, 2024, at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. Inurnment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10:00 am until the time of service.
The McDowell and Quartaro families would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Our House Memory Care and Interim Hospice & Palliative Care who took such wonderful care of Edward and provided him grace and dignity in his final days.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made in Edward C. McDowell's name to the Alzheimer's Association or Interim Hospice & Palliative Care of Wausau, WI. Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease Home Healthcare, Hospice and Medical Staffing Services in Wausau, WI | Interim HealthCare