William T. O'Dowd Jr.'s Obituary
William (Bill) Thomas O’Dowd Jr. died Friday, May 2, 2025 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Massachusetts after suffering from a short illness. Happily, Bill spent his last day enjoying the spring with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was 74 at his passing.
Bill was born November 26, 1950 to Carol (Stevens) and William T. O’Dowd Sr. in Methuen, where he lived his entire life. Bill spent much of his youth on the beaches of New Hampshire as a lifeguard and surfer. He graduated from Methuen High School, Class of 1968. He enjoyed playing football at Methuen High as well as in college.
Bill met his match, Maureen (Brownlee) O’Dowd, at Franklin Pierce College. He graduated from there in 1974. They were married in August 1976 at the family home on Block Island, Rhode Island. They had a wonderful wedding that is still talked about with friends and family today.
Bill was a natural-born salesman, possessing an innate ability to connect with people and make lasting impressions. His ability to connect with people brought him success in a broad range of sales and marketing positions.
Anyone who knew Bill, knew one of his true passions was listening to music. His younger siblings speak of his influence on their musical interests. They remember that he would make them listen to music that they had never heard of, including insisting they listen to “The Beatles” on the Ed Sullivan show. Bill’s love for music brought him to Woodstock in the summer of 1969, where he happily left the truck on the side of the road in search of three days of Peace and Music amidst the mud. He also spent some of his formative years working at the Hampton Casino where he shared a drink of Southern Comfort with Janis Joplin, later telling us that the members of Steppenwolf were nice fellas. He shared stories often over the years about the many other musical icons he met at the Casino.
Bill was known for his hearty laugh and true talent for telling horrible, and often inappropriate, jokes. He was a fan of Formula One racing and enjoyed watching the drivers in their different teams of cars as they raced around the world. He will be remembered not only for his interests but for the love he shared with everyone he met.
Bill loved his family deeply. He is survived by his wife Maureen. He leaves behind his son Spencer B. O’Dowd and daughter Devon (O’Dowd) Boudreau, her husband Levi, as well as grandchildren John and Eleanor Boudreau. Bill is survived by his three younger siblings; Michael C. O’Dowd and his wife Mary Ellen of Bradford, Jean M. O’Dowd of Methuen, Peter J. O’Dowd and his wife Lisa of Amesbury. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their children.
Bill’s life will be celebrated in a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to The Nevins Farm / MSPCA 400 Broadway Methuen, MA 01844. Donations may be made online. There is a box to check to donate in honor of someone. Bill had happy memories of visiting the Nevins Farm with his father and siblings. He continued the tradition with his own children. Several of our family pets came from there. www.mspca.org/donate-now
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the O’Dowd family.
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