Joseph Thomas Dowling

Passed away on March 12, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Joseph Krupp will officiate. A private burial will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery with graveside Military Honors. Joe’s family will receive friends at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Grand Blanc on Monday, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Monday evening, family and friends will gather at 6:30 pm for an Irish Celebration, followed by a 7:00 pm Rosary. Memorial donations may be directed to Central Catholic High School Scholarship Fund in Toledo, Ohio, or Holy Family Catholic School Annual Appeal Fund that provides assistance for Holy Family students in need. Joe was born in Toledo, Ohio, July 9, 1936, to Thomas and Muriel Dowling. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio, where he graduated from Central Catholic High School then attended the University of Toledo. He served in the the180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard Tactical Fighter Group, and the Air Force for three years. Joe began his business career in management and sales with Medusa Cement. He later worked at Interlock Plastics then retired from Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) after 20 years of service. Upon retirement, ADS CEO and close personal friend, Frank Eck, had a bench dedicated in Joe’s honor at his beloved University of Notre Dame, located at the entrance of Frank Eck Baseball Stadium. If you ever visit, please feel free to take a selfie on “Joe’s Bench” and share it with his family. Joe enjoyed following sports his entire life, especially Notre Dame football, with the passion of a true Irishman. He was strong in his Catholic faith and his love for family. Joe took great pride in his five children, their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild and especially the love of his life, Pat. He loved to travel and visited many places around the world with his loving wife. Joe was proceeded in death by his parents, granddaughter Ellen Patricia Mays and daughter-in-law Nancy (This) Dowling. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Pat, sons; Joseph Jr., Dave (Jackie), Doug (Kerry), and Dan (Susan), daughter; Debby (Kirk) Mays; grandchildren; Jamie, Josh (Erin), Riley, Connor, Kellen, Caitlin, Carson, Morgan, Nick, Ryan, Drew, Tommy, and Jimmy; and one great-grandchild; Miles, two brothers; Larry (Denise) Dowling and Tom (Beth) Dowling.