James Kane Dowd

On January 2, 2024, James Kane (“Jim”) Dowd passed peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital, surrounded by his brother and caregivers, at the age of 75. A Manchester, Connecticut native, Jim was born on March 23, 1948, the son of Leslie and Janet (Kane) Dowd. Jim grew up in Manchester and was a 1966 graduate of Manchester High School. In 1971, Jim graduated from the University of Connecticut, where he received a B.A. in Psychology.

In his own words, Jim “came to Cape Cod looking for a summer job after graduating from college, and I have been here ever since”. He became a homeowner in Orleans in 1973 and considered himself a proud member of the Lower Cape Community. During his more than fifty years living on the Lower Cape, Jim used his many business skills to develop expertise as a nurseryman, having owned and managed Mayflower Nursery in North Eastham, worked as a nurseryman at Hart Farm in Dennisport, and for many years managed the nursery stock and outdoor operations at Bayberry Nursery in Truro. Working at Bayberry, he developed and maintained close personal relationships with Paul Souza and his family who have owned Bayberry since 1977.

In addition to his wide knowledge of plants, flowers and trees of all species and his love of often visiting the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, Jim had a second love for and expertise in all things BMW. He owned many BMW models over the years, having purchased his first in 1973 and, in his own words, “had to learn to service it myself, [as] the car was as rare as hen’s teeth on the Cape at that time, and parts and service were hard to come by”. In 1980, having become, in his words, “a fairly decent mechanic”, he founded Bavarian Restorations in Orleans, which, he said: “coincided with the Yuppie ‘boom’ and flourished” until he closed the business in 1988 to return to work as a nurseryman. Jim’s affinity for all things BMW nevertheless continued in his spare time, and for many years he ran a mail order BMW parts business out of his home and garage, specializing in hard-to-find parts for older BMW models.

Outside of work, Jim took great pleasure in taking friends on his vintage Scott motorboat around the Orleans Town Cove, to Nauset Beach and the islands in Little Pleasant Bay. He was also a licensed and dedicated “clammer” and always generous in sharing his catch with friends and neighbors. He will be missed dearly by his brother, Les, and friends and colleagues alike.

Jim is survived by his brother, Dr. Leslie A. Dowd, of Bolton, MA, and his sister Janet A. Dowd, of Manchester, Connecticut, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

A visitation for Jim will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Parkway, Orleans, MA 02653, followed by a prayer service. Burial will follow in the Orleans Cemetery (in the Tonset Road Section).