11Hopkinton – Donald R. Dowen, 85, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 in Clayton, NC
while visiting his son.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Anna (Coulter) Dowen, “The Love of His Life”.
He was the son of the late Gerald and Lucy (Goettler) Dowen.
As a youth, Don was very creative as an amateur photographer who even
fabricated his own camera and enlarger. After graduating from Maynard High, Don
enlisted in the army. During WWII he was stationed in Germany. There, he served
as a line man in the Army Signal Corps.
After the war Don worked as an auto mechanic and welder and the family lived
for a time in Maynard and in East Hartford, CT before moving to Woodville in
the 1950’s. From the late 1960’s to mid 80’s Don, a master mechanic, was the
co-owner of Don & Glenn’s Texaco Service Station, with his brother, Glenn on
Route 9 in Framingham. The brothers specialized in the repair of Volkswagons,
large and small repairs and the sale of scooters.
Don loved to travel. He and Anna often went cross country RV camping. They
were once members of the Marathon Chapter of the local family campers assoc
iation. One of Don’s favorite hobbies was building and flying radio controlled,
and tethered scale aircraft. He always enjoyed collecting gadgets of all
kinds. In recent years, Don ran a lawnmower, small engine repair and welding
service from his home in Woodville. He took great pleasure in working on his
various projects while entertaining his many satisfied customers and friends of
recent years, John, Ralph and Steve the mailman. He enjoyed life and loved Anna
to the end. He continued working throughout his life and he would not let
the physical ailments which beset him in his later years keep him from the work
he loved.
Besides his wife he is survived by his sons; Ken and his wife, Debora, of
Sturbridge, Robert and His wife Marianne, of Clayton, NC, David and his wife,
Rosely, of Douglas; a daughter, Paula Elliott, of Centreville, VA; brothers,
Lloyd of Hudson and Glenn of Hopedale; eleven grandchildren, seven great
grandchildren and Tiger, his cat. He was the brother of the late Frank Dowen.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at
the Chesmore Funeral Home, 57 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton
www.chesmorefuneralhome.com
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4:00 – 6:30 prior to the funeral
service.
Burial in the family lot in Evergreen Cemetery will be private.