Dr J. Ronald Dowd, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 27, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Judith Dowd (née Sauder), his children Sharon, Stephen, Jason (wife
Christine), his grandchildren, Joseph and Erika, his sister Joyce (née Dowd) Lenz Gurtner and her extended family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Red Cross (https://www.redcross.ca/donate) or
United Way (https://www.unitedway.ca).
If you want to know about a place, you talk to the people of that place. Dr. Ron Dowd was of Fenwick, Welland and the surrounding Niagara region. His family settled
here in the 1940s. His father, Dr Joe Dowd, taking over the practice from his brother, decided to raise his family here. Ron Dowd got his ice cream, more than once, from the Green Lantern.
Spent his summers working on Minor’s farm in Wainfleet. Played baseball with his brother Richard. Followed his older sister, Joyce everywhere. Nicknamed Doc, along with his two older
siblings as Duchess and Duke. Learned to swim at the family cottage in Long Beach. Read books from the Fenwick public library. Learned about faith at Fenwick United Church.
Witnessed the peoples’ respect for his father, the service to the community and thought, “I want to help people too.”
Ron Dowd was part of the fabric of this community. He traveled away to learn about the world: seeing Europe at 18 to attend an International Red Cross conference, a medical degree at
Queen’s University, Ob/Gyn fellowship in Toronto, residency in Boston. But after the world, Niagara was home.
Now as Dr. Dowd, he established an Obstetrical/Gynecological practice that would stretch over 32 years. That practice saw babies delivered, cutting edge surgeries, health restored while
always advocating for women’s choices. Often patients would approach him to express their admiration whenever they would see him out in the community.
So, if you were born between 1969 to 2001 in either Welland County Hospital or Port Colborne Hospital, chances are you were one of 7000 babies Dr Dowd helped guide into the world. If you
were a patient during that time, you will remember that he listened to you, supported your choices for health without moral judgement and tried to ensure the speculum was warm. For
those doctors and nurses that worked with Ron Dowd, I hope you got to witness his surgical techniques and his great laugh.
Perhaps you were part of the church congregation at Fonthill United Church from 1995 to 2018 or Central United Church (Welland) from 1967 to 1995. I expect you would have heard Ron
Dowd’s opinion on fiscally responsible decisions for church maintenance, explorations of faith and the quality of the minister’s sermons.
If you sold calves, horses, chickens, tractors or hay from 1975 to 2000, chances are you helped Dr. Dowd build his farm. You might have even earned some summer cash putting up hay,
building fences or training and showing his horses. If you were our neighbour, you definitely saw a few of our cows or the odd horse in your yard, loose from the paddocks, needing to be
led home.
Maybe you came to know Ron Dowd as one of the longest serving members of the Lookout Golf and Country Club (1970 to 2020). Whether you played with him or against him, I hope you
envied his low handicap, heard his encouragement of a good shot and accepted his generosity at the 19th hole. If you sailed out of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the early 1970’s, you would have
seen him at the helm of his beloved C&C sailboat.
Perhaps you were a snowbird, wintering in Bonita Springs, FL, from 1991 to 2016, and you have played golf with him. You may have even met him on the deck of a cruise liner, met his wife
Judith as together you saw icebergs in Alaska or castles in Germany or historical sites all over the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
If you ever met Ron Dowd, he would have asked your name, where you grew up, and tell you an anecdote about something you had in common. He might have told you about his family:
how he met his wife of over 55 years, how he gave us horses to ride, a strong work ethic, golf lessons, fishing lessons, sailing lessons, how smart his children were, the achievements that
made him proud, a really bad joke and encouragement to explore the world outside our hometown. Above all, a respect for others because there’s always something you can learn.
Dr. Ron Dowd built a life anyone would envy. I hope you got to be a part of his wonderful life.
Visitation will be held at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick on June 5th, 2021 from 1pm-7pm. Please call the funeral home at 905-892-4701 from Monday, May 31st to Friday, June 4th between the hours of 10am-1pm to book an appointment. A Celebration of Life will be held once pandemic restrictions are lifted.
www.lampmanfuneralhome.com
A wonderful friend from my earliest memories that lasted from daily hard work on the farm which I think shaped both our lives, our busy surgical careers,our love of golf and playing it together and his joy of taking all those dimes he always won from me. Thanks Ron.
See above
I am so saddened to hear the passing of Dr. Dowd. I have lots of wonderful memories of being blessed to have known him, lots of fun on both our farms going up and hard work of course. Ours thoughts are with you. Carolee Stangl (Honsberger).
So saddened to hear this news. Our family had a lot of great memories growing up down the street from each other and learning what hard work was on both our farms and a few good stories too. My thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Carolee Stangl (Honsberger)
Our Deepest Condolences to Judy and the Family . Doc always took an interest in people, he always wanted to know more about us and what we were doing. I played golf with Doc and he always had time to chat .
I’m so sorry for your great loss. I’m also sorry I never met him but wish I would have
If our purpose on earth is to support and touch each other, and to embrace and enjoy all life offers, Dr. Ronald Dowd has succeeded magnificently on both counts ! What a beautiful tribute that reveals so much about him.
I only wish that we had shared his company for a longer time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you . Godspeed Ronald !
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith .”
2 Timothy vs 4-7
Ronald & Marleene Kretchman
Having been raised in Fenwick and have had Dr Dowd sr and also DR, Ron , we bpth went to school in H amilton in the 5o’s A great man . M any memories of our growing up yrs in school. His dad delivered many babies also . My Sympathies to his loving family knowing he was well thought of by all whom he met and cherish all the memories .guy
Our deepest condolences to the Dowd family. Dr. Dowd was the deliverer of our two sons. He was a very kind man and a phenomenal physician. May he rest in peace.
Ron’s knowledge when put together with his great sense of humour made him a welcome friend. He contributed to his community in so many ways and was much loved by his wife and family which is the first measure of every man. He will be missed, but also remembered.
David Vernon sent me this notcie..I am sorry Judy for the loss of your husband Ron…you and your family are in my prayers..thinking of you my friend..
Debra Dunsby
Victoria BC
So sad to hear of Ron’s passing. Judy our sincerest condolences. We enjoyed our time with you and Ron helping to decorate your Bonita Springs home as well as dinners spent with you both at Judy and Geoff’s home in Naples.My fondest memories of Ron were playing golf with him,Geoff and Don Tolmie at Lookout. He had such a great sense of humor.
Our prayers are with your family during this difficult time
My sincere condolences to the Dowd family.
Dr. Dowd was my doctor from 1968 until his retirement. He was a wonderful and caring person!
He delivered my daughter, the baby I thought I would never have.
Rest in peace, Dr. Dowd, you will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Dr.Dowd’s death. I grew up in Fenwick so know the Green Lantern well, and his dad was my doctor. I had the pleasure of working with Dr.Dowd in the Welland OR. My sincere sympathy to all his family.
I am saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Dowd and I send my sincere condolences to the Dowd family. I grew up on Summit Ave. just down the street from the Dowds. Dr. Dowd delivered my daughter Rebecca in 1972. He was always comforting, understanding, and had a great sense of humour. Very recently my BFF from Welland and I had reminisced about our visits to Dr. Dowd in our child-bearing years. He truly was the BEST ever! Rest in Peace, Dr. Dowd.
On behalf of Heart Lake United Church I extend our deepest sympathy to family members. May he rest in peace!
My sincerest condolences on the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. He was a special guy. Lots of good memories with the horses. He was a light in so many lives, he will be missed.
Dr. Dowd was my gynaecologist from 1972 until he closed his practice. He was a great doctor – caring, an excellent listener, and a very knowledgeable doctor. Please accept my sympathy.