William J. Dowdakin

William J. Dowdakin, Sr., 85, of Winnebago passed into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father at 1:35 p.m. on April 27, 2013. Born November 19, 1927 in Los Angeles, CA, son of William Dowdakin and Mary Rigotti Dowdakin Mallash. His father passed away when he was just 18 months old. He came to Rockford at age 4 with his mother and they resided in Rockford with his beloved aunts, Kathryn and Irene. After graduating from St. Thomas High School in 1945, he joined the U.S. Army, serving his country for 18 months state side in Virginia. Married Laura Cuppini on January 4, 1947. Employed by Sundstrand Corp. for 22 years. He then ventured out on his own, owning and operating Rockford I.D. Shop until retiring in 1993. He loved the countless trips "Up North" fishing with his family. He was a skilled wood worker, an avid gardener and an excellent cook. He was a faithful member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Pecatonica. Predeceased by Laura,his wife of 48 years, and was deeply saddened by the death of his daughter, Gail in 1996. He married Martha (McKee) Dowdakin on May 17, 2003. Survivors include his wife, Martha; sons William (Pat) Dowdakin, Mark (Barb) Dowdakin, of Winnebago, Robert (Doreen) Dowdakin of Loves Park and his daughter, Beth Powers of Sycamore; grandchildren, Scott (Ginny) Dowdakin, Heather (Patrick) Brule, Jonathan Dowdakin, Jared Dowdakin, Paul Dowdakin, Paige Dowdakin, Jeff Nelson, Stacie Nelson, Erick Nelson, Mackenzie Powers, Riley Powers and Dylan Powers; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Brooke Dowdakin, Parker, Avery and Emerson Brule and Maxwell Hemesath; step children, Nicole (John) Carratt and Jesse McKee; step-grandchildren, Haylie and Isabella Carratt. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He immensely enjoyed his times with his nephew Geno as well as his best friend, Joe Tanaglia who he had known since childhood, and his faithful companion, Willy, "you're a good dog!". Deep gratitude to Dr.William Edwards, Dr. Jon Strutzenberg, Dr. Juliette Kalwait and all of the staff of Serenity Hospice and Home for their compassionate care. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 in St. Mary Catholic Church, 126 W. 5th Street, Pecatonica, IL. with Msgr. Robert J. Sweeney officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a Christian Wake Service to be said at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Pecatonica, Serenity Hospice or to the charity of your choice. His parting words to many would be, "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a gift.....that's why they call it the present." Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.