Anthony George McDowell

The Lord God blessed the McDowell family with Anthony, affectionately called “Tony” or “Ant” who born on April 25, 1957, in New York, the first child to late Vera Mae McDowell (nee Williams) from Savannah Georgia who was also born on April 25th and George Alfred McDowell from Andros Bahamas. His parents raised him with his younger siblings who loved him dearly Karen Collette McDowell and Alfred McDowell.

Anthony was a beautiful spirited and kind person with a big smile, a handsome man, with gentleness that put people at ease and strength that inspired respect. He was humble and strong with a deep faith in God. From his youth Anthony’s leadership and determination was shown when he began his first job as a newspaper delivery boy earning his own money and working at McDonalds. He enjoyed volunteering in youth camp and served as a role model.

Anthony also achieved a black belt in Karate and loved exercising. He also loved the sport of basketball and found joy in the comradery with fellow players and his friends.

Anthony graduated from Lehman College of the City University of New York with a bachelor’s degree. Among the “finest”, and brave in character he became a police officer to serve the community and served for over 20 years as a New York City Police Officer including working in the 44, 42, and 43 Precincts, the Legal Bureau, the police academy, the Department of Community Affairs and was an administrative Sergeant in Bronx County, New York. He received three medals/commendations for Excellent Police Duty and three medals/commendations for Meritorious Police Duty and impacted the lives of those he worked with on the “Force.”

Anthony, an attorney, graduated from Fordham Law school with a juris doctor degree while working at the New York City Police Department to support his family. Even with all his achievements, Anthony would say that his most precious accomplishments were the birth of his two beautiful sons, during his marriage to Milagros Perez, Joshua Anthony and David Christian who bare his image and kind spirit.

Anthony retired from the New York City Police Department. He married his beloved wife Monique Vidal, and together they settled in Florida. In Florida he began a second career and Anthony became the first Black Lieutenant of Medicaid Fraud control unit for the Attorney General, South Florida Region and retired after 18 years of service.

Anthony retired happily a second time and enjoyed his retirement by boating with his friends on his newly purchased boat, fishing, exuberant fellowship and conversations with his friends, international travels with Monique and worshiping His God through gospel songs and praise. He loved his sons Joshua and David dearly and enjoyed and cherished conversations and time spent with them. He loved his family and was the one everyone sought after for advice and counsel. Anthony was a defender of family and friends.

While doing what he loved--traveling, exercising, and exploring the world with his wife Monique, the Lord called him home on January 22, 2025. Anthony, held onto his faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior and is in God’s loving presence forever.

Anthony loved family and friends and was beloved by so many and his Legacy endures forever within the hearts and minds of the brotherhood with Freddie, Keith and childhood friend Steven and many other brothers. His Legacy of fatherly love for Joshua and David will continue forever; His legacy of love and care for His wife Monique will endure, and his legacy of love for his siblings Karen and Alfred, sister in-law Shamika (nee McCormick), and nephews Najee and Jyair, and his most beloved Bahamian family and family in Georgia, and countless friends and co-workers will endure forever.

Anthony will always be remembered for his gentle and humble spirit, kindness, love, strength and vulnerability, protectiveness, and the desire to follow the Lord God and shout out with gospel music of praise to God. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15. All the days ordained for me were written in [God’s] book. Psalm 139:16.

Left to cherish Anthony’s memories are his beloved wife of 24 years, Monique (nee Vidal); his two sons Joshua Anthony McDowell and David Christian McDowell, his siblings, Karen Collette McDowell and Brother Alfred Dominick McDowell, Sister-in -Law, Shamika “Micki” McDowell, his nephews Najee McDowell, and Jyair McDowell, his first cousins of the Bahamas cousins Willamae and Alfonso Smith, Terrol and Francis Ansah, Quintin Gray, Ricardo and Judy Musgrove, Derek Newton and Cherisse Walker and many other first and second cousins and family, adopted beloved brothers, his brother-in-law, Mark Vidal and friends in law enforcement, and so many dearly beloved friends. He is preceded by his beloved mother and father, aunts, and uncles, and recently his cousin Wellington Gray Jr.

This is our hope that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8