DOWDEN, Kevin J.–Passed peacefully away at the DVA Veterans Memorial Pavilion on November 12, 2008, Kevin Dowden, age 85 years. Kevin is predeceased by his first wife Irene (O’Leary), parents Catherine (Keating) and Alexander Dowden, step-father Michael Bennett, step-sister Sheila (Wade) and her husband Richard, step-daughter Wanda Healey, sister-in-law Muriel O’Leary, brothers-in-law Brendan Perry (Helen) and Brendan O’Leary (Marie). Leaving to mourn his wife Regina (Hawkins-Healey); his children: Bob Dowden (Beatrice), and Cathy Skinner (Fred); step-children: Karen Squires (Cyril), Glenna Healey, and Ricky Healey (Elaine). Also leaving to mourn his passing are his precious “girls” granddaughters: Ashley Skinner and Renee Dowden (Todd Hennessey and his children Jordan and James); grandsons: Bobby and Kevin Dowden, and great-grandchildren: Kyle and Nathan Dowden; step-grandchildren: Justin and Jeffery Hearn, Brendan and Neil Healey. Also leaves his brothers Angus Dowden (Gertrude), Brendan Bennett (Patsy) and Dermott Bennett (Judith). Also leaving to mourn a large circle of other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at the DVA Veterans Memorial Pavilion for the wonderful care they provided to Kevin over the last few years.rnrnKevin was born in St. John’s on May 1, 1923, he moved to Renews as a small child after the death of his father. He lived in Renews until he joined the Merchant Navy in 1939, at the start of WW2 where be served on the ship “Fort Townsend.” After the war, Kevin and his first wife Irene moved to New York City where he continued to work on the Fort Townsend out of New York to Bermuda. Kevin and Irene eventually settled in Richmond Hill, Ont. until 1970 when Kevin moved his family back to his “beloved Newfoundland.rnrnResting at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Bay Bulls on Thursday, November 13th, and Friday, November 14th from 2 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial to take place from St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, Witless Bay. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre R.C. Cemetery, St. John’s.