Otto "Tony" A. Dowd

Otto A. “Tony” Dowd, 86, of Cape Coral, FL, husband of 46 years to Elaine Dowd, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 peacefully at home. He was the son to the late Otto D. Dowd and Margaret (Leachman) Dowd. Raised in Chicago, IL, Tony was committed to the military field, serving in both the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After the service he moved to East Hartford, CT, where he served as an East Hartford Police Officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant for 27 years, receiving numerous awards and accommodations. He retired as a lieutenant from the East Hartford Police Department in 1987 and then went on to work for the Connecticut Prison Association of Hartford, CT as a Security Coordinator. In 1995 he went on to work for the Connecticut Circuit Court as a Sheriff. In January of 2000 he retired from the State of Connecticut and moved to Cape Coral, FL to enjoy his retirement.

Tony was always on the go as he was a member of the CT Chapter #1 of the Blue Knights. In addition to spending time with his family he loved motorcycling, bowling, boating, cruising with family and friends, floating in the pool, and daily trips to Dunkin Donuts to meet friends for coffee.

Tony was a loyal friend and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife Elaine Dowd, two sons, Otto D. Dowd and wife Maria of Newington, CT and John W. Cooper Sr., of Cape Coral, FL; daughter Victoria A. Mancarella and husband John of Cape Coral, FL; six grandchildren, John, Blaine, Tina, Holly, Stephanie and Michael; seven great grandchildren, and three nieces, Kathy, Debbie and Betty of Chicago, IL. Tony was also predeceased by his daughter, Darlene Sue Dowd, and his brother, Walter “Bud” Gerhardt.

Due to the current health crisis, a private graveside service with military honors will be by invitation only at Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tony’s name may be made to the East Hartford Police Benevolent Association Incorporated, P.O. Box 8615, East Hartford, CT 06108. The D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the local funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.