

Fran was born on August 3rd, 1956, in Buffalo, NY to the late Francis Joseph and Grace O. (Mutter) McDowell. Fran grew up in Buffalo, NY attending McKinley Vocational High School and Alfred State College. He was a lifelong HVAC Technician and Engineer specializing in large data centers. He was a long-time employee of Faulkner Haynes and Associates, where he was a Service Manager and more recently their Control & Engineer Support Specialist. He was known in the office to be a “Gentle Giant” with a larger-than-life personality. If no one had the answers, more times than not Fran knew what to do. He was well respected not only in Buffalo and Raleigh, but across the nation working with such company giants as Liebert, Dessert Air, Dectron, etc. but could also work with the smallest of companies. His knowledge, professionalism and problem-solving skill set earned him that respect.
In his free time when he was younger, he was a member of Swiftwater Sail & Power Squadron, District 6, of the United States Sail & Power Squadron. Fran served an active role on the Bridge in Leadership where he finally stepped down 2nd in command as Lt. Commander to fully focus on his company and family. Fran’s pride and joy was that of his family.
Fran is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jill (Derrett) McDowell; daughters, Crystal (Jason) Boone, Candace (Daniel) Gittere; son, Christopher (Victoria) McDowell; mother, Grace O. McDowell. He was a very proud Papa and had an incredible love for his seven grandchildren, Faith, Hope, Cody, Matthew, Juliana, Cooper, and Logan; Fran is also survived by his brothers, Richard “Ricky” McDowell, Kevin McDowell, James “Jimmy” McDowell, and several nieces and nephews.
Fran was preceded in death by his father, Francis Joseph McDowell; and his brother, Randall “Randy” McDowell.
A Celebration of Fran's Life will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 11:00 - 1:00 pm in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, with family and friends sharing memories and stories beginning at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Fran's name may directed to the American Cancer Society, or to the American Heart Association, by using the links below, under 'Donations'.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Fran, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.
DONS
American Cancer SocietyPO Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741
American Heart Association5001 South Miami Boulevard, Suite 300, Durham, North Carolina 27703
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