WESTFIELD – Michael J. Dowd died at home suddenly Sunday, February 10, 2013. Born in the flood year of 1955, Mike departed likewise during a massive storm. Born and raised in Westfield, Mike attended local schools and was a 1973 graduate of Westfield High School.
He then attended STCC and Westfield State College to gain his bachelor’s degree in Science in 1979. He also had a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science that he gained in 2002 from Westfield State College. Mike was an avid weightlifter and was a Red Cross certified Lifesaver. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy in 1980 as a corpsman. He was most proud of his military career and was also employed by Pratt and Whitney in CT., McDonnell Douglas in CA. and the USPS. Mike was a member of the American Legion Post 124 and a former member of the Sons of Erin, both in Westfield. Vivacious and proud of his heritage, Mike was especially proud of his Great-Uncle Walter “Rabbit” Maranville, a baseball Hall-of-Famer and a member of the 1914 “Miracle” Boston Braves.
Mike leaves his sister, Eileen Odabashian and her husband David of Norton, MA, Mary Dowd and Nan Dowd, both of Westfield; his brother, Daniel Dowd of Westfield and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He also leaves Jean M Dumphy and her children with whom he spent many happy years, and his former wife Gail (Gornell). He was predeceased by his parents John and Eleanor (Sheehan) Dowd and his brother, Thomas E Dowd.
Funeral services for Mike are Thursday 8:15 a.m. from the Robert E. Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street (Route 20), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, both in Westfield. Burial will follow in the MA Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
