Obituary of Francis E. Dowd

Francis E. "Frank" Dowd, 91, formerly of Curtis Avenue, Baldwinsville, passed away on August 26, 2004, while a resident of Roo Lan Health Care Center, Olympia, WA. Frank was born on Feb 25, 1913, in Oswego, NY. He attended St Mary's School and graduated from Oswego High School in 1932. He then lived and worked in Albany and New York City until he was drafted into the Army Air Corps. He served in England and Morocco processing promotions for the 379th Bomb Group. After World War II he returned to Oswego and married Lucille Roland. They lived their first year of marriage in Oswego and then bought a house in Baldwinsville, New York. For the next several years, he and Lucille, "Lou," raised two sons, Charles, "Chip" and James. Frank worked during that time in the Heavy Military Electronics Department of General Electric for 28 years, retiring from there in January 1976. Frank was a very active parishioner of St. Mary's Parish, Baldwinsville, for 50 years. He served as Pack Cubmaster, an usher and was active on the Annual Catholic Hope Appeal. Additionally, Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, achieving the Fourth Degree and was named Knight of the Year in 1975. Frank assisted the KofC in Baldwinsville by being the Treasurer, and received the Hall of Fame recognition award as Financial Advisor in 1987, as well as being a regular volunteer at the weekly bingo games for 21 years. Frank took pride in growing holly in his backyard, even sharing his enthusiasm by writing an article for the Holly Society Journal. Frank gladly gave numerous cuttings of his holly to countless friends, neighbors and acquaintances in the community. Frank's involvement in community services extended for too many decades to list all his contributions. Some of the recognition he received, although he would be the last to tell you, included the 1978 Voluntary Service Award from Central NY Recreation & Park Society INC; 1980 Man of the Year, Community Service, Chamber of Commerce, Baldwinsville; 1981 Community Service Award from the Metropolitan Commission on the Aging, Onondaga County; 1994 Man of the Year, Baldwinsville Meals on Wheels, INC. Frank and Lou were drivers for Meals on Wheels for 23 years. Continuing his interest with numbers, he took on the task of being the Treasurer for Meals on Wheels. Frank was one of the original founders involved in the huge amount of groundwork necessary for the establishment of the Baldwinsville Senior Center now known as Canton Woods. Whether it was as Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1985, income tax preparation assistant, or as self-appointed gardener, Frank spent many many hours doing what he could in his quiet way to see that things ran smoothly and that participants were always provided with many activities. At some point in time he came up with the idea of a Limburger Cheese Party. This has become an annual activity and is enjoyed by many people blessed with the taste buds to enjoy such an event. Surviving are Frank's two sons, Chip of Olympia, Washington; Jim of Edgemont, South Dakota; two grand sons, Matthew and Eric, both of Olympia, Washington; three nieces Ann Bitterman of East Syracuse, NY, Barbara Annorino of Oswego, NY and Roberta Dowd of Brandon, Florida; and one nephew, Donald Dowd, of Oswego, NY. Lucille Roland Dowd, his spouse, predeceased him on March 14, 1995. Contributions may be made to either Meals on Wheels INC. or the Canton Woods Senior Center, both at 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027. A memorial Mass will be held on October 30, at 10AM at St. Mary’s Church, Baldwinsville, NY.