Raymond Charles Dowd, devoted to service
Raymond Charles Dowd was born Sept. 22, 1927, in Elizabeth, N.J. He left this world Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at the age of 92 in Lewes. Anyone who knew Ray, knows he was a man of integrity and compassion. He lived his life according to his rules, and made good friends with those who shared his love of history and could keep up with his sharp wit.
In 1945 Ray graduated from St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., and eventually served in the Army. When his time in the military was finished, he became a carpenter and worked as part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 0715. On the weekends when he wasn’t working hard to help build much of northern New Jersey, he ran a charter fishing boat that was moored in the Manasquan River. This boat may have been his first love, but he gave it up without a fight once he met the love of his life, Eileen Callahan.
On June 19, 1976, Ray and Eileen were married and remained together ever since. They moved from Brielle, N.J., to Lewes in 1995. Since that time they have enjoyed many long walks together in Cape Henlopen State Park as well as a travel adventure every September in celebration of both of their birthdays. In their spare time they volunteered at Casa San Francisco serving meals and washing dishes. In addition, Ray was a dedicated parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes.
Every day Ray woke up with the sun, ate the same breakfast and reviewed the newspaper. In Lewes he shared this routine with his group of friends at the Daily Market. This group was fondly referred to as the Dawn Patrol and helped Ray keep his routine, adding lots of laughs and support through the years. Ray was a man who lived by a high standard, with little patience for those who didn’t include some sort of service in their lives. He gave generously to those in need and expected others to do the same. He never minced his words and always made you laugh. Ray will be greatly missed!
Ray is survived by his wife, Eileen Dowd of Lewes; as well as eight nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and -nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m., at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be held at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Ray’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
