Published: October 10, 2008 11:03 pm      

R. Eric “Buddy” Dowlan [LaVale]

LAVALE — Royce Eric “Buddy” Dowlan, 52, of LaVale, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.

Born Feb. 10, 1956 in Fort Ashby, W.Va., he was the son of Genevieve (Edmondson) Dowlan, LaVale and the late William Richard Dowlan. Mr. Dowlan was also preceded in death by his brother, Ransom Eli Dowlan; and a sister, Rhonda Elaine Dowlan.

Eric was an environmental engineer for the RJN Group in Wheaton, Ill. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He was formerly a member of the Western Maryland Street Rod Association and the LaVale Volunteer Fire Department.

How do you describe a man who touched and enhanced so many lives? Buddy devoted his life to his children and grandchildren. Eric always put others first. He loved his entire family and circle of friends. If you needed him, he was there. If you needed something, he did his best to make sure you got it. Buddy never met a stranger, he was a friend to everyone. The proudest days of his life were when he walked his daughter, Shannon, down the aisle and when his son, Aaron, became a United States Marine.

Everyone that met Buddy loved him. He was like a big teddy bear. The room changed, became more alive. Words cannot express the void that is left in our lives. A void that will forever be in our hearts.

Besides his mother, Eric is survived by his daughter, Shannon N. Sowards and husband Eric, Rawlings; his son, Sgt. Aaron C. Brown, serving in Iraq and his fiancée Heather Abe, Cumberland; his grandsons, Colton and Kaden Brown; his granddaughters, Gabrielle and Mercedes; his former companion and special friend, Terry L. Brown-Brelsford, Cumberland; and his in-laws, Donald and Claudette Brown and their children, Mark and Missy; his sister-in-law, Cyndi Mealey and husband Michael and their children, Cody, Kyle and Kyler, all of Cumberland.

Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur St., Cumberland, AdamsFamilyFuneralHome.com on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 at 2 p.m. with Pastor George M. Harpold and Father James Kurtz, O.F.M., Cap., officiating.

Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.