Edward Francis DOWLING

Edward Francis Dowling

Edward Francis Dowling, 68, of Forest, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of Rita Fortier Dowling, formerly of Lebanon, N.H.

Mr. Dowling was born Oct. 17, 1939, in Framingham, Mass., a son of the late Edward P. Dowling and Frances Mullens Dowling. After graduating from Framingham High School in 1957, Mr. Dowling went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Worcester, Mass., and a Master of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of New York. He was a nuclear controls engineer for most of his career, working for Hamilton Standard, Aerojet General, Babcock and Wilcox, SMUD, Niagara Mohawk, and retiring from Framatome in 1998. During his time at Framatome, he spent a year working for the company in Paris, France.

Edward was also co-owner of Dowling's Tub of Cream in the late '70s. Edward was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, coffee ice cream, bowling and singing in a barbershop chorus and the St. Thomas More Catholic Church choir, and did we mention he loved coffee ice cream?

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Timothy and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, Michael and his wife, Gayathri, Laurie Gregor and her husband, William, Kevin and Lynn; his grandchildren, Nicole and Rebecca Dowling, Narain and Beyla Dowling, and Matthew, Nathan and Erica Gregor; a sister, Elena Dowling of Lynchburg; a brother, Barry Dowling of North Weymouth, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A memorial Mass of Resurrection will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Richard Mooney officiating. A reception will follow the service.

Memorials may be made to National Brain Tumor Foundation, 124 Watertown St., Suite 3H, Watertown, MA 02472; or to a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.