DANVERS - Jack Dowd passed peacefully surrounded by his children on August 5, 2021.

Mr. Dowd was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, to Eva and John E. Dowd, Sr.  A resident of Salem for much of his life, he graduated Salem High in 1954 and from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Class of 1958.  Married to his high school sweetheart, Marion (nee Hayes) in 1960, Jack was father to 6 children, and had 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

He served in the US Navy from 1958 until his retirement from the reserves with the rank of Commander in 1984. Jack served on the USS Salamonie, USS Joseph P Kennedy and various shore assignments including Newport, Rhode Island, Santiago, Chile and Washington, D.C. As a reservist, he traveled as far away as Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and spent much of his volunteer time as the Regional Commander Midwest for the United States Sea Cadets.  After mustering out of active duty, he had a long career in insurance underwriting and sales for various companies. After an early retirement from corporate life, Jack started and ran his own construction business, Jack's Home Repair, until he was 72.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, his son Michael A. Dowd previously of Keene, NH, and his parents.  He is survived by his 5 remaining children; John E. Dowd III (Elizabeth), Atlanta, GA,  Thomas M. Dowd, Hawley, PA,  Susan E. Cairns (Robert) Cary, NC, Amy J. Ruppert (Stephen) Laceyville, PA,  and Jennifer J. Dowd, Yarmouth, ME, 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, his sister Marlene Duggan (Edward) of Beverly, MA, his brother Russell E. Dowd, ( Susan) Madison, NH, sister-in-law Patricia Morency (Roland) Salem, MA, brother-in-law John L. Hayes (Sarah) of Salem, MA and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jack also leaves Linda Coddens of Beverly, his dear companion for his final years.

Jack will always be remembered by his many friends and relatives as a fun, hardworking, happy man who loved nothing better than to breakout in song, have a great meal, spend time with family, cook for crowds and laugh.  He spent many years as a barbershop quartet singer as a bass voice, both in quartets and choruses.  He started in the Oakland County Barbershop Chorus in Michigan. When he returned to his hometown, he joined the Beverly Northshoremen Chorus where he served in many leadership positions over the years including Chapter President, Music Director, and show committee member.  He spent uncountable volunteer hours helping teach the youth of the area, thru the program Harmony Xpress. He really enjoyed his quartet ensembles, especially his final group The Village Voices. He especially loved doing "Singing Valentines" every February and special events.

Besides singing, Jack loved being with family and he loved sports, especially the Red Sox, golfing, soccer, and fishing in Northern Michigan for salmon.  Jack was fond of gardening his beloved gladiolas, irises and dahlias. He spent many hours playing cribbage and bridge.  He loved nothing better than a baseball game on the television and a good supper on the table.  His generosity was legendary, always making sure that there were extra places at the table for whomever showed up.

Throughout the years, he was a member of SPEBSQSA, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and The Naval League.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service which will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebration, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Monday August 9th at 11 A.M. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours in the funeral home Sunday August 8th from 1 to 4 P.M.   In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in John's memory to Kaplan Family Hospice House (Care Dimensions), 78 Liberty St., Danvers, Massachusetts 01923 Or V.F.W. Witch City Post 1524, Attn: Post Commander, 95 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts, 01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .