Theodore J. “Ted” Dowling Sr., 74, of Boothbay Harbor, died Sept. 2 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor. He was born July 28, 1936 in Wiscasset to Joseph James Dowling and Gwendolyn Flora Dion Dowling. Ted grew up in Wiscasset and graduated from Wiscasset High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. While in the service, he attended several electronic schools, and following his service duty, attended a special school for television and radio repair in Miami, Fla. He worked in Miami as a television repairman for three years before returning to Maine.
He worked in television and radio repair in both Bath and Wiscasset before joining Bob’s Photo-TV in Boothbay Harbor. He worked at Bob’s for three years until he opened his own business, Ted’s Radio-TV service. He rejoined Bob’s three years later and worked there until Bob’s business closed. Ted worked at Bob’s for a span of 42 years. Ted was also well known for his work on communications towers. He worked for the Maine State Police setting up towers all over the state of Maine. He also worked with Carl Watson on many other towers. He later worked at Silver Lining taking over Fred Pratt’s job cleaning and making jewelry.
Ted was a volunteer firefighter for the town of Southport. He loved animals and going on the water in his father-in-law’s boat. He had a thirst for knowledge, always reading to better himself. He served and helped many people in the community.
He was predeceased by his father, Joseph J. Dowling; brother, James Alfred Dowling; and brother-in-law, Rodney Demeny.
He is survived by his mother, Gwendolyn Dowling of Wiscasset; former wife, Linda Snowman Dowling of Southport; son, Theodore J. “Teddy” Dowling of Boothbay Harbor; daughters, Lori L. Dowling and fiancé Anthony Wooster of Southport and Beth Anne Dowling of Idaho; sisters, Natalie Demeny of Wiscasset, Jayne Oakes and husband Larry of Boothbay and Donna Peddle and husband Roy of Topsham; grandchildren, Theodore John Dowling of Boothbay, Cori LeCinda Smith, Felicia Anne Bryant McGregor, both of Alabama, and Robert Anthony Bryant of Idaho; and great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Lotus and Michael Smith and Johnathan McGregor, all of Alabama.
Memorial service to celebrate Ted’s life 2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 9 at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay. Sam Michael will officiate. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sprucelawn Cemetery in Southport.
Contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556 or Miles Home Health Hospice, c/o Miles Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Online remembrances may be sent to www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
