John Joseph Pierre Dowd Sr.

John Joseph Pierre Dowd, Sr. (“Pierre”) passed into the loving arms of Our Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 11, 2023. He was surrounded by his two sons, John Joseph Pierre Dowd, Jr. (“JP”) and Christopher Patrick Dowd. He was being treated for respiratory issues related to pneumonia and Covid-19.

In addition to his wife Joan Batting Dowd whom he loved throughout 60 years of marriage, Pierre is survived by his two sons and their families - John Joseph Pierre Dowd, Jr. (“JP”), his wife Kara, and their children Anna, John, Nora and Elsa; and Christopher Patrick Dowd, his wife Clare, and their children Emma, Thomas, and Maeve.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 1 at 11:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1315 36th Street, NW, Washington, DC, with video available. A wake and visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, November 30 from 5-7 pm at Joseph Gawler’s Sons funeral home at 5310 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Burial will be on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11 am at West Cemetery, Boston Post Road, in Madison, Connecticut.

Donations in lieu of flowers and in Pierre’s memory may be made to St. Ignatius College Prep, Loyola University Chicago, or Holy Trinity Church Community Relief Fund. Details are listed below.

Pierre was born on January 6, 1933, in Chicago, IL, the son of Andrew Dowd and Margaret Rose Fanning Dowd. His father died when Pierre was very young, and his mother died when he was in college. Pierre was a graduate of St. Philip Neri middle school, St. Ignatius College Prep high school, and Loyola University Chicago. He was the recipient of several academic and drama awards, including a full tuition scholarship at Loyola.

Pierre grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago and spent many summers and vacations with his mother’s family, the Fannings, in Harrison, Michigan. After his mother’s passing he became very close to her sisters Helen and Winifred. The extended family included eight aunts and uncles, as well as many cousins including Jude Fusco of Birmingham, Michigan. His grandfather Michael Fanning owned and ran Harrison’s only dry goods store which also served as the town’s pharmacy and post office. His great-grandfather Patrick Fanning emigrated from County Cork in Ireland in the 1860s and settled in Mt. Pleasant and later Rosebush, Michigan.

After Loyola, Pierre entered the seminary in Chicago, and was soon sent to study theology at the University of San Diego and later Catholic University in Washington, DC. He made many life-long friendships during his time in the seminary before deciding to pursue a life outside the priesthood. He remained a devout Catholic, always participating as a lay minister or lecturer at whatever parish he belonged to over the years. He was overcome with excitement when Pope John Paul and Pope Francis made visits to Washington. He felt blessed to be on the plaza of the Capitol beneath Pope Francis as the Pope greeted the crowd.

Pierre worked in human resources, known then as “personnel”, in the early 1960s for the Institute for Defense Analyses (“IDA”), one of the earliest “think tanks” in Washington. It was at IDA that he met his future wife, Joan Therese Batting, from Reading, Massachusetts. They wed on October 26, 1963, at Annunciation Church in Washington, DC.

Pierre later joined Ability Search, a recruiting firm in the rapidly growing industry of executive search. His client base included computer engineering and operations research companies, many of whom conducted business with the Federal government. He later expanded his practice to include economic consulting firms. He worked at the same firm until his retirement in the early 2000s. He estimated he had placed over 200 managers and executives at new firms and helped them advance their careers.

Pierre and his family lived in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, DC, and were regular parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Pierre loved spending time with his family, especially his wife Joan during their 60 years of marriage. The two had a unique bond, rooted in love and support for one another as well as compassion for others. They felt an obligation to help others and frequently volunteered with groups assisting those in need particularly the homeless and refugees. They proudly recalled being at the Lincoln Memorial among the thousands who participated in the 1963 March on Washington led by Martin Luther King.

Pierre loved his children and grandchildren immensely, and nothing made him happier than spending time with them, whether enjoying a meal together, watching them after school or on vacations, or attending one of their many sports games and music recitals. He loved hosting his children’s friends from college as they transitioned to new careers in the Washington area and opened the doors to the family’s house for months at a time.

Pierre saw the goodness in all people, no matter their profession or background. With a hearty laugh and quick smile, he made friends easily. He had a deep curiosity for both the intellectual and the mundane, always trying to learn something new or share some tidbit from his encyclopedic knowledge. He could discuss theology or philosophy with academics just as easily as talking with bus drivers or repairmen about mechanical issues, always making others feel like they had made a new friend.

Pierre lived vicariously and loved learning about even the most trivial parts of someone’s background whether their family name, hometown, favorite actor, or recent travels. He was always searching for some common connection with others. During goodbyes and farewells, he was never tearful, but always ended an encounter by raising his right hand and saying “Peace”.

Donations in lieu of flowers and in Pierre’s memory may be made any of the following charities:

St. Ignatius College Prep

https://www.ignatius.org/giving/invest-in-ignatius/donate

Select “Tuition Assistance Fund” from drop down menu

Scroll down to box marked “Additional Comments”

Enter “In memory of John Joseph Pierre Dowd, Class of 1950”

Loyola University Chicago

https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1548/alumni/giving.aspx?sid=1548&gid=2&pgid=497&cid=1256

Select the red box “Student Scholarships”

Scroll down to “Special Instructions” and click on the “+” to the right

Enter “In Memory of John Joseph Pierre Dowd, Class of 1956”

Holy Trinity Church Community Relief Fund

https://trinity.org/donate-holy-trinity/social-justice/community-relief-fund