John Thomas Dowd Jr. was born on December 2, 1947, and died on August 15, 2024, at 76 years old from complications arising from congestive heart failure. Born to John Thomas Dowd and Virginia Gavin, he married Cynthia Ann Adsitt on June 25th, 1977, at Keuka College Chapel in Keuka Park, NY.

John was the son of a colonel and lived in many states as he grew up. John and Cindy settled near his family in Virginia. They both worked in healthcare– Cindy as a nurse at Mary Immaculate Hospital and John as an EMT. Later, John worked as a firefighter at Hampton Fire and Rescue, where he ended his career as a Lieutenant. John never stopped sharing his healthcare knowledge though, and taught CPR classes to healthcare workers for decades.

John Dowd was a loving partner and an exemplary father. He was also joyous, kind, intelligent, hilarious, and valued family above all else. He enjoyed many family vacations at the beach. He was a history buff and could talk about government and military facts at length. He never met a stranger. He was an epic storyteller. His sleight of hand when performing magic tricks was unmatched. In fact, when dazzled children and adults alike would ask him how he made their quarter disappear and reappear behind their ear, he would always reply with a sly smile: “I did it very well.”

John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cindy, and his parents.

He is survived by his children- John Thomas Dowd III of Hampton, Ian Adsitt Dowd, and daughter-in-law Marie Coates, as well as grandchildren Asher and Callie Dowd of Richmond, Va. Siblings- Virginia Oberlin, Ireland, Maureen Dowd Patterson, San Diego, CA., Brianna Dowd Jarabak, Virginia Beach, VA., Gavin Dowd (Debbie), Newport News, VA., and many nieces and nephews (both “regular” and “great”).

The service will be held on Saturday, September 21st, at 1 pm at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601.