Peter C. Dowdell

Peter C. Dowdell, 70, of Salem, Massachusetts, died on September 26, 2026. He was born on November 27, 1955, son of the late Vincent J. Dowdell Jr. and Jacqueline (Jean) Dowdell. He graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1973, where he played varsity soccer. He attended Salem State College and served as a proud member of the men’s tennis team. He graduated in 1979 with a degree in General Studies.

He worked at Mass Financial Services in Boston, where many of his co-workers became friends. Peter retired after nearly 20 years as a quality analyst from National Quality Review in Boston, in which he was a founding employee. Peter was the husband of Mary (Karonis) Dowdell; married in 1986, they shared 40 years of marriage. Together, they shared a daughter, Courtney (Dowdell) Clerge, her husband Roudi-MI-Love, and two grandchildren, Milo and Chloe Clerge. He is survived by four sisters and many relatives.

He was a loyal Boston sports fan. Peter loved trivia including Jeopardy and had a passion for words and writing. He enjoyed taking long walks with his beagle, riding his bike with friends, concert-going, and enjoying a plate of scallops after spending the day swimming and sunbathing at the beach. Peter was happiest spending time with family, particularly, his wife that was by his side during a battle with dementia that lasted over a decade.

Arrangements: His funeral services will be on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem, Massachusetts, starting with visiting hours from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon with a service starting at 12 noon followed by burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park , 185 Lake St, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Pantry (thesalempantry.org), Northeast Animal Shelter (MSPCA Memorial Giving), or the Alzheimer’s Association (End Alzheimer's).