Westfield – 
John J. Dowd, 87, died Jan. 3, 2018 peacefully at home. He was born in Westfield on May 9, 1930 to the late Jeremiah and Anna (Russell) Dowd. He grew up in Westfield and was a 1948 graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He received a B.S. degree in 1952 from Westfield State Teachers College. He was a U.S Army Veteran of the Korean War. After the army he received his Master of Science Degree from UMASS in 1956. He graduated in 1957 from UCONN receiving a Six Year Diploma. He started teaching in 1956 in Springfield for 5 years at the Washington School. He taught mathematics at South Middle School for 30 years and retired in 1992. In 2012 John gave his shares of Westfield Financial stock to Citizens Scholarship Foundation to help children pay for college tuition. He was a member of the American Legion Post 124 and was a life member and 50 year officer, and commander in 1981. He was a member of the Honor Guard for 45 years, marched in over 200 parades, he was a member of the scholarship committee for 30 years, and a delegate to the American Legion State Convention for 13 years. He was also Treasurer for the Westfield Veterans Council for 13 years. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 100, he was a life member and 50 year officer. He was Grand Knight from 1984-1989 and 2005. He was a life member of the Archbishops William’s Assembly Fourth Degree and delegate to the Knights of Columbus State Convention for 18 years. John was a life member of the Sons of Erin and life member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield. He leaves his brother Patrick Dowd and his wife Linda of Franklin Lake NJ, his sisters Kathleen Dowd of Westfield and Mary Gilhooly of Springfield, his nephew Peter Dowd and his wife Amy of Marblehead, MA, his nieces Laura Costic and her husband Andrew of Springfield, Illinois, Nancy Friedman and her husband Eric of Bridgewater NJ, Emily Dowd-Walsh and her husband William of Long Island, NY, Theresa Hala of E. Longmeadow, Joan Parsons and her husband Douglas of Montague, Marie Galica of Suffield, CT and Eileen Gilhooly of Springfield. John also leaves 14 grandnieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday January 8th at 11 am in St. Mary’s Church, Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of John may be made to the American Legion Post 124, P.O. Box 236, Westfield, MA 01086 or to the Knights of Columbus Council 100, P.O. Box 337, Westfield, MA 01086.
