Michael P. Dowling

DOWLING, MICHAEL VALLEY FALLS - Michael P. Dowling, 54, a longtime resident of the Schaghticoke and Valley Falls areas, died peacefully, Monday, September 26, 2011, at his residence, with his loving family by his side, following a short illness. Born in Troy, May 14, 1957, Michael was the son of the late William C. Dowling and Elizabeth "Betty" (Stewart) Dowling of Schaghticoke who survives and for over twenty years, the best friend, and husband of 4 years to Cristina L Young of Valley Falls. Michael and Cristina were married May 27, 2007. Michael was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School and East Coast Aero Technical School in Massachusetts were he earned an FAA license and certification in the field of Airframe & Power plant Mechanics. In 1980 he accepted a position as Quality Assurance Inspector with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT. In 1982 he joined the United States Army, attended flight training in Alabama and UH-60 Black hawk training school before being stationed in Korea. He was then transferred to California for test pilot training and participated in operation "Just Cause" in Panama. In 1989 he was honorably discharged from the Army and enlisted in the National Guard in California. Most recently he transferred to the New York Army National Guard, piloting AH-1 Cobra helicopters. In 1995 Michael was hired at the Army Aviation Support Facility #3 by DynCorp International of Latham as the Quality Control Supervisory Maintenance Test Pilot and remained an active member of the NYS National Guard. Due to health concerns he retired from the job he loved in September 2010. He was an honorary member of the Speigletown Volunteer Fire Company. Michael was known as the local "Mr. Fix-It" and often broken or worn out stuff would appear on his lawn waiting for him to repair it for a family member or friend. He enjoyed many hobbies including dirt track racing at local speedways, watching NASCAR, restoring his 1936 Chevrolet coupes, working with his farm tractor, but most importantly enjoyed just being with his friends and family. In addition to his wife and mother, Michael is survived by his sister Kathy Seymour of Schaghticoke, a brother, Joseph W. Dowling and his partner, Gar A. Barkman of Tampa, FL, his mother and father-in-law, Joyce and Richard Jackson of Indiana, a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Lisa Young of Indiana, several nieces and nephews and his devoted dog, Sissy. A brother-in-law, the late Steven Seymour, predeceased him. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 1:00 P.M. at the Hoosic Valley Community Church, 2024 New York Route 40, located in Schaghticoke. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M., prior to the service. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers at Michael's request, may be made to the Victory Junction Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317. Funeral service details are under the direction of the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Troy, NY 12180.