Obituary of Stephen Dowsett

Stephen Edward Dowsett, 57, of New Britain, passed away Monday, October 15th, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Steve was born November 23, 1949, in New Britain to Mary (Lynch) and Raymond Dowsett, who, along with his older brother, Jeffrey, predeceased him. He attended local schools and graduated from New Britain High School in 1968. He then attended C.C.S.U. and Indian River Junior College in Fort Pierce, FL. Following that, Steve explored life in Arizona and Colorado. He settled in New Britain, and after working for Arthur Industries as a construction supervisor he became a self-employed painter up until his recent illness. Steve leaves to grieve him his "best piece of poetry," his very beloved son, Jake, the center of his life from the moment Jake was born. Words cannot describe the love he held for his son. He and Jake shared a healthy and impassioned Yankees/Red Sox rivalry. Some favorite memories are those trips to Fenway or to Yankee Stadium to cheer on their respective teams. Steve reveled in his son's earlier baseball career from t-ball to the All-Star-Games. Those were some of his proudest and happiest moments. The two shared countless hours on the golf course, as well. They were a father-son team of great proportion. Jake was Steve's one true constant in his life, and he loved him dearly. Steve also leaves his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Robert Dowsett and Dr. Susan Halley of Farmington, his sister and her husband, Janice and Stephen Potter of Suffield, his nephews Tyler Potter of Brighton, Mass., and Devin Potter, of Suffield, his uncle Bob Smith of New Britain, several cousins, and Jake's mother, Betty Albert, of Southington. Steve wanted to thank the following for their love, support and friendship over the years and especially during his recent fourteen month journey: most especially his brother, sister-in-law, and sister, for their constant, loving support, also his cousin and true friend, Steve Smith, Rich Marshall for his unconditional friendship, and other dear friends whom he was blessed with reconnecting: first and foremost, Gene Rembisz, Steve's longtime buddy, also Ron Noveck, Cornelius Loftin, Ken Griffen, Tom Griffen, Alan Lasch, Bob Lohmeyer, David and Paula Kufta, Skip Davis, Peter Dorau, Tom Moeller, Billy Sweeney, Roxie and Linda Messina, Susan Canzonetti Stone, and Ron and Gwen Watford. In addition, Steve and his family had the most profound gratitude for the exemplary care given to Steve by the Hospital of Central CT cancer program. Specific thanks go to Dr. Grund and the staff on E1, Dr. Neil Goldberg and the staff in radiation, oncology, and Lorry Killeen, RN, and the staff on C5. Steve was a true "people person" whose charisma could light up any room and whose humor and wit will be sadly missed by those who knew him. Steve once said that although he may not have begun his life well, he planned on ending it well, and that he did, by reuniting with family and friends, by returning to his faith, and by facing his illness with dignity and with undaunting courage. We should all be so brave and so blessed. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Maurice Church 100 Wightman Road New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Smith, Gene Rembisz, Rich Marshall, Cornelius Loftin, Ken Griffen and Ron Noveck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Friendship Center, 241 Arch Street, New Britain, CT 06051.