Vincent J. "bud" Dowd

Atkinson, NH: Vincent J. "Bud" Dowd, 77, of Atkinson, died Sunday evening, May 31, 2015 at his home, following an extended illness and period of declining health.

Born in Worcester, MA, son of the late Edmund F. and Margaret F. (Bradshaw) Dowd, he moved to Methuen as a child, attended local schools, and was a member of the Lawrence Central Catholic High School Class of 1955. He went on to attend Northeastern University and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1959.

Mr. Dowd was employed as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic first at PanAmerican Airlines and for over thirty years at Eastern Airlines before transferring back to PanAmerican Airlines in Portsmouth, NH for the last three years of his employment.

A resident of the Town of Atkinson for over fifty years, he served the town for twenty-three years on the Police Department as a Lieutenant and Firearms Instructor retiring in 2001. Mr. Dowd also installed and repaired the lighting and radio equipment for the Atkinson Police and Fire Departments' emergency vehicles. He also was employed by the Hampstead School Department at the Hampstead Central School. A life member of the N.R.A, Mr. Dowd served as an instructor in the Home Firearms Safety Program and was also a member of the Rockingham County Law Enforcement Officers Association.

He enjoyed snowmobiling and was a member of the Groveton Trailblazers and the New Hampshire Snowmobilers Association. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, his family was first in his life. Mr. Dowd also enjoyed hunting, target practice shooting, fishing, photography, and working around his home. He also had an interest in airplanes and anything to do with the state of Alaska.

He is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Sally A. (Neiss) Dowd, a daughter and son-in-law, Mary A. and Brent Ebner of East Hampstead, a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen M. and Mary Kate Dowd of Alton, NH, six grandchildren, Katy Ebner and Alex Ebner, Frank Dowd, Veronica Dowd, Peter Dowd, and Margaret Dowd, and also several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Edmund F. Dowd, Jr. and his sister, Patricia M. Saalfrank.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Dowd's Life Celebration on Wednesday, June 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. His funeral will begin on Thursday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Church of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH. Burial with military honors will follow in Atkinson Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Salem Animal Rescue League, 4 Sarl Drive, Salem, NH 03079 or to the Manchester Animal Shelter, 490 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, NH 03102. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.