Clifford W. Dow Jr.
OSTERVILLE —
Clifford W. Dow Jr., "Bumpa" to many who knew him and loved him, passed away at home on May 15, 2009. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara G. Dow, to whom he was married for 67 years.
Clifford was born on March 3, 1918, in Newton, to Clifford W. Dow Sr. and Grace S. Dow. He was predeceased by brothers Kenneth and Arthur, and sisters Alice and Marjorie, as well as his parents. He was a graduate of Deerfield Academy and attended Bates College before accepting a position with the New England Mutual Life Insurance Co., from which he retired in 1963.
After summering on the Cape for many years, the Dows moved to Osterville permanently in 1963. Cliff had a real estate office in Osterville and took a very active roll in the village. He served in many capacities as a member of the Osterville Village Association, the Osterville Business & Professional Association, the Osterville Men's Club, the Cape Cod Horticultural Society, and as a communicant at St. Peter's Church. He was also an active member of the Cape Cod Kennel Club and a founder of the South Shore Kennel Club.
His passion was the Coast Guard Auxiliary, particularly the Oyster Harbors Flotilla 1108 which he helped found in 1973. Cliff instructed many safe boating classes and held many offices, including that of first commander. He took part in several rescues aboard his boat, the "Dow-Sir."
Cliff is survived by two daughters, Judy Dow of Osterville and her close friend Jimmy Hazelton, and Jill Gulden of Hyannis; five grandchildren, Michael Dwyer and his wife Jessica, Mark Dwyer, Kristen Little, Patricia Adnan and her husband Adnan Javaid, and Alexis Gulden; great-grandchildren Kassandra and Tyler Little, Matthew Dwyer, Brian Fornario, and Rory and Rachel Dwyer; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Dow will be remembered as a gentle and caring man who deeply loved his country, Cape Cod, his community, his God and Church, his family and friends, and the Boston Red Sox!
A memorial service in his name will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Osterville. A reception will be held in the Church Hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the following: St. Peter's Church, 421 Wianno Ave., P.O. Box 437, Osterville, MA 02655; Cape Cod Horticultural Society, P.O. Box 934, Osterville, MA 02655; OBPA Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 520, Osterville, MA 02655.