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In memory of

Mr. Leslie Dowling

Clearwater Beach, Florida

1929 - April 13, 2021

1929 - Apr 13, 2021

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DOWLING, Leslie
Passed away, at home, surrounded by family on April 13, 2021. Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1929, of parents from Saba, Dutch West Indies; he grew up in Barbados. One with the ocean, and from a long line of sea captains, he learned to sail on his family’s schooners. A lifelong sailor, he and his wife Patricia, enjoyed years of blue water cruising, everywhere from Maine to Trinidad. They loved traveling across the US, and abroad. They were avid campers; Hither Hills, Montauk, and Wildwood State Park in NY amongst their favorite places. Notable RV trips include Europe in 1974, a transcontinental to Alaska in 2004 and up and down the eastern seaboard. In 2003, Leslie completed a transatlantic crossing, with his son’s family aboard their sailboat, and at 86 was the oldest ever, Marion to Bermuda Ocean Race participant, winning the short handed division. He was a veteran; he served in Japan, and during the Korean War. Retired for 31 years, he worked at Republic Aviation, and was a technical illustrator for Grumman Aerospace, where he worked on Apollo 11’s Lunar Module, and numerous jet fighters including the F-14, and A-6E Intruder. He taught, and volunteered, for the US Power Squadron for more than 20 years, and served as Commander of the Captree chapter. Both he and Pat were active Clearwater Yacht Club, and Land Cruiser, members. Known for his engaging stories, intelligent conversations, sense of humor, laugh and infectious smile, he was loved, and will be missed, by many. At the end of his life, his only stated regret, in his typical joking manner, was that he was born two hundred years too late, claiming that he would have otherwise, carried on the family tradition and, been a successful pirate!
His devoted wife of 67 years, Patricia A. Dowling, predeceased him on September 28th, 2017. He is survived by his daughter Andrea (husband, Ron) of Coral Springs, FL; son, Jeffrey (wife, Melanie); grandsons, Kristofer, Spencer, and Tristan of Duxbury, MA and beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation at Hubbell Funeral Home, April 30th, 4-7pm, with Mass at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, May 1st, 11am.

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