Russell H Dowd

Russell H. Dowd of Kingston, Mass., and Zellwood, Fla., formerly of Hull, passed away on Feb. 6 at age 92.

Son of the late Hull Fire Chief Adrian P. and Hazel Dowd, Mr. Dowd was born and brought up in Hull, where he lived until retiring to Florida in 1983. He loved to tell stories of his boyhood growing up in Hull Village in the 1930s and ’40s.

After proudly serving his country as a veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Dowd returned to the town he loved. Along with his new bride, Harriet, he raised his family in what began as a small, four-room home, which he turned into a rambling eight-room ranch on Sunset Point.

Mr. Dowd followed in his father’s footsteps and became a firefighter. He retired as the fire chief at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station in 1982 after 32 years.

In the ’60s and ’70s, on his days off from the fire department, Mr. Dowd worked as a special summer police officer, as the population of the small seaside town grew exponentially in the summer.  He “walked the beat” on Nantasket Avenue and in Paragon Park.

He was involved in the community in a number of ways, including singing in local variety shows and serving as a member of the Hull Redevelopment Authority.

After retiring to Florida, Mr. Dowd joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as a court officer for 10 years.

Most of all, Mr. Dowd enjoyed the company of others, and was a great conversationalist. His big personality and kind generous nature endeared him to all he met.

His family meant the world to him. He was the beloved husband of 58 years of the late Harriet (Carpenter) Dowd, and is survived by his three girls: Dawn, Adrianne, and Dale; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. He also is survived by Catherine Morgan, whom he referred to as his number-four daughter.

A celebration of Mr. Dowd’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Hanover on Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. Interment will be at a later date in the National Cemetery Bourne.

Memorial donations are suggested to Mr. Dowd’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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