John "Jack" Dowd Jr.

Son of the late John J. Dowd, Sr. and Hazel Martin Dowd of Middletown, RI,. Jack was born in the Fifth Ward Neighborhood of Newport, RI in 1943. He was married to Maureen M. Dowd for fifty-three years and father of Sean Patrick Dowd (wife Katherine) and Kathleen Dowd Holbrook (husband Vincent Holbrook). Proud “Papa” of McKenna and Riley Holbrook and Emily and Lucie Dowd.

He is also survived by his youngest brother Richard Dowd (wife Becky) of Marshfield. His middle brother Donald V. Dowd of Connecticut recently predeceased him.

After graduating from Rogers’ High School, Newport, RI in 1961 where he was a member of the Naval Reserves, Jack went on Active Duty serving aboard the USS Bulwark MSO (Minesweeper Ocean). He saw service in the Caribbean Sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.

After his Naval Service, he returned to academia graduating from RI Junior College and continuing on to Providence College, graduating in 1969 after which he joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) assigned to the Boston Field Division.

In the early 1970’s as part of his government career, Jack was deputized a U.S. Marshal and became a member of President Nixon’s anti-hijacking program on international flights.

As head of the Arson Task Force in 1984 he participated in the investigations of major arsons and bombings in the Boston area. In 1989 Jack headed the Entry Control Team (ECT), the first of its kind for the agency, created to execute high risk law enforcement operations. This team was later further developed into ATF’s current Special Response Team (SRT) Program. In 1993 this Boston team took part in supporting the siege at the Mount Carmel Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas.

Jack returned as Group Supervisor, a position he held until his retirement in December, 1999. Jack proudly passed along his badge and legacy to his daughter, Kathleen Dowd Holbrook, ATF Supervisory Special Agent.

He next began a second career as a private investigator and conducted background investigations for ATF, Customs and Border Patrol, and the US State Department while devoting time to his 4 granddaughters, winemaking and his avocation of becoming a master wood carver, a passion he ignited in his son, Sean, owner and operator of Satuit Woodcarving.

Additionally, he leaves behind three nieces, two nephews, several grand nieces and grandnephews and legions of friends from all walks of life.

Jack enjoyed boating, lobstering, and all that coastal living has to offer.

A wake will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 4PM to 8PM at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Rd., Scituate, MA

A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10AM at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, Scituate Harbor.

Interment will take place later in the Spring in the Dowd Family Plot at St. Columba’s Cemetery, Middletown, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John to South Shore Health Foundation, 55 Fogg Road, South Weymouth, MA 02190-2455, or online at SouthShoreHealth.org/Evergreen. Please reference Cancer Care with your contribution.