Mr. Albert Dowe Jr.

UTICA - Mr. Albert Dowe, Jr., age 84, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Masonic Care Community of NY with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on May 28, 1933, Albert was the son of the late Albert H. and Margaret (Harp) Dowe. He attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and was a graduate of Utica Catholic Academy (Class of 1951). He went on to graduate from Le Moyne College (Class of 1956) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Al had aspirations of becoming a lawyer, but in the mid 1950’s his family’s business was in need of his attention and knowledge. He set aside his dream of a career in law and teamed up with his brother, Joseph, in perpetuating the family enterprise for the sake and well-being of his loved ones. On September 7, 1959 he married his best friend, the former Yolanda Scheri with whom he shared 56 years. She was selfless in her love and support of Al. It was loyalty at its best. Yolanda entered eternity on May 22, 2016. Al joined the second generation of the family operated business, Dowe’s Market on Columbia Square which grew to be a superette on the west side of Utica. Al was a people pleaser and affectionately known as the “Man on the Square.” He modernized the operation, met the individual needs of his patrons, and grew the business. A popular specialty of the superette was Yolanda’s homemade Italian sausage. Dowe’s Market was also one of the largest retailers of F.X. Matt Brewing Company products, especially Utica Club Beer, a staple in the community. For 35 years, Al’s Jesuit education and strong work ethic allowed him to grow and sustain a successful business. In 1991, with his career goals realized and a desire to spend more time with Yolanda, he chose to retire. During his retirement years, he held a position at the AMF Pin-O-Rama Bowling Lanes as a night supervisor. Al was a highly principled man and a great provider. He embraced strong family values and was a mentor to many. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren and their personal and professional accomplishments. For Al, the Christmas holiday season was a time of grandeur and gathering with loved ones. He was an animated storyteller and appreciated a good joke. Al was an avid sports fan and enjoyed league bowling from 1959 to 2001, serving as secretary/treasurer of his league. He was a member of the former Sons of Italy Lodge and worked the political voting polls. He lived his life with honesty, integrity, and loyalty, and his character was defined by his friends who were vast in number and endured his entire lifetime. A communicant of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Al was guided by his Catholic faith and was a brave man to his last days. He entrusted his earthly life to the Lord, and when his time came, he surrendered his soul. Al is survived by his daughter, Sherry L. Gerace of Clinton; his sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David A. and Franca D. Dowe of Travelers Rest, SC, Daniel W. Dowe, Esq. and Janet Dowe, Esq. of Bronxville NY, and Steven R. Dowe, Esq. and Lori A. Dowe of Manhattan; and his grandchildren, Jessica (Dowe) Eisinger and her husband Robert, Allie Rose Dowe; Triplets, Lauren Dowe, Christina Dowe, and Caroline Dowe; Allison Dowe; Alexander S. Dowe, and Nicholas S. Dowe. He also leaves his sisters, Laurice R. Gigliotti, Beverly DiGirolamo, Margaret Costello, and Lila Atkinson; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Suellen Dowe, and Richard H. and Cheryl Dowe; his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and sister-in-law, Judy Scheri. He was predeceased by his in-laws, Dominick DiGirolamo, Louis J. Gigliotti Jr, Anthony R. and Margerite Scheri, Ralph “Ruffy” Scheri, Albert and Fannie Scheri, Frank A. and Martha “Margie” Scheri, Donald W. Atkinson, and James Costello Sr.; niece, Marie Roser; and nephew, Billy Scheri. The family would like to acknowledge and give special mention to their father’s friends, Vinnie Chapman, Andy Weimer, Ralph Giovinazzo, Brian Farley, and Kevin Fee for their close friendship and camaraderie; his physician Dr. Erim for her outstanding bedside manner and her graceful, professional care, and the entire staff of the Masonic Care Community/Troy Rehabilitation Unit especially Shirley, Linda, Rebecca, Kathy, Debra, Sajra, Nedzila, and Nicole for the exemplary care and attention they rendered to Al during his stay. Visitation will be held Friday from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of floral offerings, donations in Albert’s honor may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Albert’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday morning at 11:30 from the funeral home and at 12:30 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Joseph Salerno. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Albert Dowe Jr.

May 28, 1933 - June 2, 2017