Andr Stefan Dowling

The sun rose brightly when André Stefan Dowling was born October 3, 1984, in Trenton, New Jersey, then sadly the sun set when he suddenly passed away Sunday, June 17, 2007, in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 22.

André was a 2006 graduate of O'Connor High School. He was also a proud member and participant of the Special Olympics and a very popular member of the Friends Having Fun Club. André was a strong young man who did not allow the adversity of Autism to bring him down, and he lived life to its fullest. He was a friend to many and had a heart full of compassion and inspiration for everyone who crossed his path.

A loving son, brother, grandson and friend, André's light went out too soon, but his memory will live in our hearts forever.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lois E. Burleson Napier and William Tinchor Burleson, both of Grand Rapids, MI; aunts, Stacy A. Burleson of Little Canada, MN, Yvonne and Virginia Dowling of Trenton, NJ; uncles, Willie Dowling, Jr., Richard Dowling.

Survived by his parents, Sharon and Joseph Dowling, Sr.; brother, Joseph Dowling, Jr. all of San Antonio, TX; brothers, Burgess Napier of Billings, MT and Michael Wright of Trenton, NJ; paternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Willie Dowling, Sr.; uncle and aunts, Herbert and Sharon Johnson, Francis and Raymond Woodard, Reginald Dowling, Larry and Bernice McAllister, Juanita and Jerome Wilson, Daniel and Cynthia Dowling all of Trenton, NJ, Linda and James Addison of Magnolia, MS, Sherri Burleson Napier, Stefan Burleson, Marion Coleman all of Grand Rapids, MI; many cousins, special friends and mentors, Debbie Braly, Isabel Cantu, Mary Ann Vallin and Pam Smith.

At the family's request, instead of sending flowers, please provide balloons to be released at the end of the service.