James Dowd

BANGOR and MILLINOCKET - James Gordon Dowd died peacefully on Jan. 12, 2025, at Winterberry Heights Senior Living in Bangor with his loving family at his bedside. Jim was born in Bangor on April 30, 1937, the son of Norbert X. Dowd Sr. and Theresa (Nelligan) Dowd. He was educated in Bangor parochial schools and graduated in 1955 from John Bapst High School where he met the love of his life Harriet Chisholm. He attended Maine Central Institute postgraduate school and went on to serve in the Air National Guard at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He graduated from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming in 1963. Jim was the owner and director of the James G. Dowd Funeral Homes in Millinocket and East Millinocket from 1973 until his retirement in 1997. He was active in many professional and religious organizations including the National Funeral Directors Association, the Maine Funeral Directors Association, for which he served as president for a term; and was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 680 of St. Martin of Tours in Millinocket. He served on the board of directors of Katahdin Federal Credit Union, was a past president of the Maine Avenue Manor Corp., which provided housing for the elderly, and was a director of the Katahdin Area Support Group for cancer patients in Millinocket. After retiring and moving to Brewer, he volunteered for the IRIS network reading to the blind and visually impaired. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, serving as a reader at Mass for several years and as a member of the funeral ministry. He was a lifelong sports fan after playing baseball at John Bapst. He particularly loved the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He was an avid golfer playing well into his 80's. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He never allowed anyone to go in need whether it was family, friend or stranger and his frequent acts of kindness and generosity are his legacy. Surviving are his wife of 66 years Harriet Dowd of Bangor, children Michael Dowd and his wife Julie (Harris) Dowd of Litchfield; Patty Kelley and her husband Dick Kelley of Brewer; Karen Schwartz and her husband Bob Schwartz of Savannah, Tennessee; brother Dr. Shaun N. Dowd and his life partner Marcia Biggane of Bangor; grandchildren Todd Hobert of Elkridge, Maryland; Jason Hobert and his wife Stacey Hobert of Glenburn; Brian Kelley and his wife Lauren Kelley of Orrington; Kristen Young and her husband Erik Young of Hampden; Adam Schwartz and his wife Jackee Schwartz of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Christopher Schwartz of Savannah, Tennessee. Jim loved his great-grandchildren Morgan, Madison, McKenzie and Samantha Hobert; Jacob Kelley and Margo Young. He also adored several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his brother Norbert X. Dowd Jr. Jim's family thanks the staff at Winterberry Heights Memory Care and Bristol Hospice for their care in his final months. Friends may call at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John's Catholic Church, 217 York St. in Bangor with the Rite of Committal to follow at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery. Friends are invited to gather at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., immediately after the services. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Katahdin Area Support Group, PO Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462.

To join the service via live stream visit www.stpaulbangor.me.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.