Dauwer, Leo P., Jr., of Needham, MA died peacefully at home on February 27th surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Marion T. (Burns) Dauwer. He was the devoted father of Sister Ellen Dauwer, SC, of Chicago, IL; Peggy Powers and Michael Gethin, Maureen Motchok and her husband, Doug, all of Needham; and Paul Dauwer and his wife, Karyn, of Plymouth. Proud “Pop” to Jay and Alex Powers of Milton, Elizabeth and Matt Wright of Walpole, Meg and Eric Scholl of Andover, Julie and Nick Chambers of Alexandria, VA, Joey Motchok of South Boston, Patrick Dauwer of Haverhill, Colleen Dauwer of Ireland and Caitlin Dauwer of Plymouth. Adoring great-grandfather to Charlie Wright and Mary Scholl. Leo served in WWII in the Philippines and, after graduating from BU, taught school in Quincy, Milton and Needham and became a principal in Marshfield where he was described as a “living legend” for his work in opening two schools. He later retired from the superintendent’s office in Plymouth schools. He was a proud resident of the nation’s first public housing project in South Boston in his youth and, when he formed Dower Associates, Inc in 1982, he served for 40 years as a national consultant in the public housing and redevelopment field. He was the author of several Commissioner and Executive Director Manuals and was beloved for his presentations at national, regional and local conferences. He was a consultant to hundreds of housing authorities. He held graduate degrees from Boston College and Northeastern University. Leo was strong in his faith and was a lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM on Thursday, March 3rd at 10:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Bartholomew Church, Needham at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Wednesday, March 2nd from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. Interment in St. Mary's Cemetery Needham.
Our family would like to thank BI Needham Cardiology for their incredible care and Good Shepherd Hospice who were our angels when we needed them most. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Leo’s memory to Good Shepherd Hospice at gscommunitycare.org/Donate or to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, PO Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07961.