Edward J. Dowling, Jr.

West Boylston | Shrewsbury - Affable and social by nature and holding true to his Irish heritage, Ed Dowling loved a laugh, and he was known as an animated story and joke teller. He could often be found buckling over in laughter before delivering the punch lines. His humor helped him navigate his way through life’s ups and downs, and he had the gift to gab, which easily allowed him to enjoy the companionship of family, friends and strangers alike. 

Edward Joseph Dowling was born on February 17, 1941 in the Bronx, New York the son of the late Edward J. and Cora (Pepin) Dowling. Raised in the Bronx, he attended Cardinal Hayes High School before his family made the move to his mother’s native Worcester, where he then lived on the city’s Grafton Hill neighborhood, graduating from St. Stephen’s High School. Ed later earned his Associate degree from Quincy Community College. 

He met French Canadian native, Nicole Beauchamp, at Old Orchard Beach in Maine, and they later married in her native Canada on September 27, 1975. Ed was a resident of Shrewsbury for over 40 years and moved to West Boylston in 2013. While in Shrewsbury, Ed also worked as an auxiliary reserve police officer for over 15 years. 

Ed was devoted to his family and his country. His long career in the United States Army began in September of 1962 with his enlistment, and then serving in, the United States Reserves and Active Duty, as a Chief Warrant Officer for almost 40 years before enjoying retirement in 2001. Perhaps appropriate…Ed died on the eve of Independence Day, July 3, 2024 after an illness. He was 83. 

There wasn’t a meal he would shy away from, but he was also pretty good at maneuvering a recipe and working the kitchen himself or…coaching from the comfort of his chair. Ed’s going to be remembered as a very loving, kind, generous and tender gentle giant and one never ever to complain. 

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Nicole, he leaves his children, Monique N. Dowling of Worcester and Michael P. Dowling (Julie) of Shrewsbury; his grandchildren, Thomas and Casey Dowling; his sister, Margaret Phaneuf (Robert) of Sterling; nieces & nephews. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Edwards’s life by gathering for visitation on Tuesday, July 9th from 10 – 11 a.m. at Saint Mary of the Hills Church, 630 Cross Street, Boylston, followed by his Funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial is Thursday, July 11th in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at 10:45 a.m. 

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 https://www.veteransinc.org or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/

Arrangements by James & John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.