Obituary of Henry F. O'Dowd

Henry F. O’Dowd, age 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 18, 2016. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia (Collins) O’Dowd with whom he shared 56 years of marriage. Henry was born in Salem on November 16, 1928 the son of the late Patrick and Katherine (Walsh) O’Dowd. Raised in Salem he graduated from Salem High School in 1947 and thereafter served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. From there he spent the next 44 years employed by Sylvania at the Sylvan Street Lighting Manufacturing facility where he was head of maintenance. His life-long friends at “the Shop” were really his extended family. Henry was very proud of his Irish heritage and was actively involved in the AOH. He and his late wife Pat belonged to the “Couples Club” which was a close group of friends that got together every month for over 50 years. Henry loved his home and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in the “Shamrock Room” where the bar was always opened and all were welcomed. The family would like to extend a special thank you to All Care Hospice and the special people who cared for him. Henry is survived by his daughter and her husband, Julie and Jim Thibodeau of Peabody, a son Patrick O’Dowd of NH; his cherished grandsons, Blaine and Drew Thibodeau of Peabody; a sister, Elizabeth LaFreniere of NH; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edward and Rita Collins of Swampscott, Mary Ellen and Dave Foley of Peabody, and Vel O’Dowd; and Susan (Perry) Jalbert whom he considered his adopted daughter, and nieces, nephews, neighbors and his extended family. He was also predeceased by his siblings Timothy, James and William O’Dowd. His family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His funeral will be held from the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 26th followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in Henry’s name to All Care Hospice, 210 Market St., Lynn, MA 01901. Burial will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.