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Michael Dowling Obituary
Michael L. Dowling, 66, of Hamden, loving husband of Lauretta Schmidt Dowling, passed away on November 19, 2025. He was born in New Haven on August 10, 1959, a son of the late Edward and Patricia Dowling. In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his sons, Michael (Sara), Steven, and Daniel Dowling, his adored grandchildren, Sofia and Andrew Dowling, his brothers, Edward, Paul (Debra), and David (Natasha) Dowling, sisters-in-law, Annelouise (Pam) Schmidt, Greta Heath and fiancé Steven Bourgeois, and Heidi (David) Law, nieces, Jordan and Caitlin Law, and nephews, Tommy Heath, and Jack Dowling.
After many years working as a florist with his father at Dowling Florence Flowers, a family business, he began a new life working on the railroad, where he made lifelong friends. His favorite times were spent with family and friends on the road; going on bike trips and camping with the RV. As a former Green Dragon, he remained a loyal fan. Above all, he loved spending time with his loving family and his granddogs, Shea and Maxwell.
Friends are invited to visit with Michael's family on Friday, November 28th, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 29th, at 9:30 a.m. directly in St. Rita Church-St. Paul VI Parish, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Michael's memory may be made to American Lab Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 215, Willington, CT 06279, www.americanlabrescue.com . To send condolences, please see his obituary at: www.beecherandbennett.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Dowling
Sponsored by NHRegister.com.
Sharon Wrzosek
December 3, 2025
Dear Lauretta and Family. I am so very sorry to hear of Mike´s passing. I was away for the holiday with my boys and girls and did not know until this week. I would love to visit you, when you´re able. Please let me know what is best for you. You are, and will continue to be in my daily prayers. With love, Sharon
MaryJo Pellegrino
November 29, 2025
So very dirrry.
Lynne & Bill Couse
November 28, 2025
Dear Laurie & boys, We are very sorry to see of Michaels passing. We are heart broken for all of you. Remembering the good times we had together. Praying for all of you. Lynne
Pete Massey
November 28, 2025
Dowling family
While a Whalen kid, met Mike at HHS and played football-at times next to him on the line. Great guy. So mellow yet ferocious on the field. Connected back when I became a HPD and Mike was in the flower shop. Sorry for your loss. It hits all of us as we´re all this age. Thoughts and prayers from Florida to y´all.
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Arnie and Annmarie Aranci
November 28, 2025
Dear Lauretta,
We are so sorry to hear about Mike. We will keep you all in our prayers.
William Valintas
November 24, 2025
you were one of my uncles best friends and i met you through him and the time you spent at Dunbar in your RV doing renovations to it. you were the type of person who would give the T-shirt off your back to help someone i´m gonna miss you Mike RIP
Meegia
November 24, 2025
Lauretta, I am so very sorry to hear of Mikes passing. Prayers to you and your family. My deepest sympathy
The Panaroni brothers
November 24, 2025
A farewell to one of the best human beings this earth has ever seen.
A son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and a dear friend to many. My dad´s best friend. They grew up in Hamden together playing football and never leaving each other´s side. Growing up in an era without cell phones or email to keep in touch yet somehow did. As a child one of the first lessons I can remember being taught was about loyalty and friendship and it was Mikey D and my dad´s relationship that did the teaching. On the weekends when my brothers and I were young my dad would tell us often the plan for the day every morning, the plan almost always included a trip the florist. I can remember asking my dad who are we getting flowers for and why are we going to the flower shop again? Sometimes to get a little something for my mom or a special occasion but a lot of the times he would just say "so we can go see Mikey D". As a father now of 2 it´s easy to realize how life can get busy when raising children and that he just wanted to make sure no matter how busy they got that they still spent time together. They shared stories of their childhood together and always embraced with a smile and a hug. They did everything together, from playing football to raising families to riding Harleys and hitting the shooting range as they got older and their sons grew from boys to men. One of the greatest things he ever did for my dad was help get him into the Hamden Dragons Hall of fame about a year before he passed, I will never forget that night and the smiles and love and appreciation that we had for him for that. They had so much in common it was easy to see why they loved each other so much. Mikey D had an infectious laugh and an incredible sense of humor that lit up a room. He could change the mood of any room he was in with a simple funny face or gesture or joke. It is hard to put into words the impact Mikey D has had on my life and anyone who has ever met him, he always tried to include everyone and he was always looking to help where he could. Free flowers when he ran his dad´s shop, free train tickets when he switched jobs to metro north, my communion sponsor slipping me cash at every birthday or special life event. When we would leave his house after a night of Hamden fireworks, he would always leave you with a smile a hug and say come by anytime and meant it. Never a "me" guy and always a "we" guy, what are WE eating tonight, where are WE heading after this, how can WE help. A man who always spoke so highly of his better half Lauretta and his three boys, Mike Jr, Steven, and Dan and always made sure to turn the conversation back on you and how you were doing and your family is doing and cared about the response. Through the good times and bad Mikey D has always been there. A great example of friends turned family. It brings me peace knowing you and the road captain and your right-hand man are back together again. WE love you Mikey D, thank you for everything and I cannot wait to see you again and to embrace with another smile and hug.
Ed Boni
November 23, 2025
I worked with Mike on the railroad and he was an all around great guy. My deepest condolences to his family.
Ed Boni
Harry Potenziani
November 23, 2025
Lauretta Mike jr Steven, Dan . Your husband, Dad was absolutely the best from jr high & high school &many yrs after great times will always remember him . Rip Mike till we meet again
Nancyfabish
November 23, 2025
Lauretta and family so sorry about the passing of Michael! He was always a sweet kind man! Enjoyed our times at church functions! Love hugs and prayers to all! God bless!
Debbie and Tom Methot
November 23, 2025
Lauretta and boys, We are so sorry to hear about Michael. He always had a smile and was a so friendly, Im sure he never had an enemy. We last saw him taking the train to NYC. I hope your memories help you to get through the hard times.
Debbie and Tom Methot
Bob Dietter
November 23, 2025
Lauretta,and Family so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great friend and respected by all.May he rest in peace.
Ellen (Unger) Freiler
November 23, 2025
So sorry for your loss, Laurie...
GLEN T SHEPLER
November 22, 2025
Laurie and the Dowling family,
So very sorry to hear about Mike's untimely passing. We played football together on the HHS Dragons and became great friends in high school and beyond. After Paul Panaroni's passing Mike always kept me up to date on your vacations and events texting me pictures and including me in so many activities like the HHS Dragon Football games. I always admired how much support he gave Pete after Paul passed. I will never forget his thoughtfulness and kindness by keeping in regular contact with me. Mike was a true friend and we had some great conversations over the last several years and I will dearly miss his calls and texts. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Glen Shepler
Murrieta CA
David Delaney
November 22, 2025
My condolences to the entire Dowling family. Friends & neighbors my whole life. So sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Michael.
Larry Lazaroff
November 22, 2025
Very sorry to learn of Mike D´s passing. Such a wonderful man with an amazing and engaging smile. Rest in peace my dear friend. Condolences to the Dowling family
Judith Avena Perlroth
November 22, 2025
Sorry for your loss Laurie. I remember Michael always smiling. He was always kind.
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