Mr. Paul M. Dowd

Mr. Paul M. Dowd, 66, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2013 at the home of his daughter Mary Beth. Born in Detroit, MI on September 14, 1946 the son of Edward J. Dowd Sr. and Angela D. Lindsay Dowd, he attended Michigan Schools and was a 1964 graduate of St. Mary’s of Redford High School in Detroit, MI. Upon graduation, Mr. Dowd was drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a “bonus baby” and remained part of that organization for six years. During his baseball career he enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve. Paul met his late wife, Rosemary Brown, while playing for the Pittsfield Red Sox at Wahconah Park. In 2011, the field at Wahconah Park was dedicated as Paul Dowd Field at Wahconah Park. Mr. Dowd worked for Northeast Utilities for 36 years. He began his career in 1970 as a lineman and retired in 2006 as an Account Executive. Paul was the driving force and founder of the Berkshire County Jimmy Fund. He was a member for 30 years and past President. The Berkshire County chapter has raised over one million dollars since it was founded. Nuclea Biomarkers of Pittsfield had endowed a chair dedicated in Paul’s honor at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. In addition, Mr. Dowd was the two time recipient of the Ken Coleman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He was a member of the Pittsfield City Council for 10 years, serving as a ward councilor and councilor at large. He had also run unsuccessfully for Mayor of Pittsfield. Paul was a member of many service organizations, including Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, the American Legion Post 68, the Italian American Club, Berkshire Hills Country Club, East Side Men’s Club, the Rainbow Club and Rotary Club of Pittsfield where he had received Rotarian of the Year Award. He was predeceased by his wife the former, Rosemary Brown, whom he married on September 21, 1968 at St. Joseph Church. She died on April 25, 1997. He leaves a daughter, Kathleen Geary and her husband Doug of South Hadley, a son Paul A. Dowd of Raleigh, NC and a daughter Mary Beth Dowd also of Raleigh, NC,; two grandchildren, which he affectionately referred to as his “ two main guys”, Brenden Timothy Geary and Cullen Patrick Geary; a brother, Edward J. Dowd Jr. and his wife Beth of Canton, MI, Mary DiPonio and her husband Dave of Livonia, MI, Anne Kott and her husband Ron of Cumming, GA and Angela Kott and her husband Paul of Cary, NC; a sister in law, Judith Hall and her husband Richard of Pittsfield and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas Patrick Dowd and John Gerard Dowd. Paul will always be remembered for his great generosity and his ability to provide help and inspiration to those in need. Funeral Notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Paul M. Dowd will be Monday, September 9, 2013 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church celebrated by Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor with the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor of St. Charles Church and Rev. Gary Dailey, director of the Newman Center in Amherst, MA concelebrating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA will be Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 3 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund of Berkshire County, ALS Association – Jim “Catfish” Hunter chapter or to the Run to Defeat ALS- the Greater Chicago Chapter of ALS Association. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ON THIS WEBSITE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Paul M. Dowd

September 14, 1946 - September 2, 2013