SPRINGFIELD - John F. “Yaco” Dowd, 88, of the Forest Park section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Friday, February 17, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on June 26, 1934, a beloved son of the late Thomas J. and Hanna M. Dowd. He was raised in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, graduated from the former Cathedral High School in Springfield in 1951 and had moved to Forest Park in 1960 where he lived the remainder of his life. He was employed for many years as a Letter Carrier with the United States Postal Service and had retired in 1997. He was a communicant of Saint Paul Church and a member of the Springfield Lodge of Elks and the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, all in Springfield. An avid sports fan, Yaco enjoyed cheering on the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins, the Boston Red Sox and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elizabeth L. (Zguro) Dowd who was Called Home on November 20, 1999. He leaves his two devoted sons, Michael J. Dowd and his wife, Karla, of Chicopee and Christopher J. Dowd of Agawam; his four cherished grandchildren, Katrina Borowiec, Jacob Borowiec and his fiancee, Alex Rhoads and Christophori and Joseph Dowd; his former daughter in law, Gina Gelineau of East Granby, CT; his loving brother, James "Zeke" Dowd and his wife, Susan, of Wilbraham; his two dear sisters in law, Angela M. Dowd of West Springfield and Helen Magni of Springfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends including his very dear friends, Eddie and Cele Fitzgerald of Springfield. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his three loving brothers, Thomas J. Dowd, Lawrence M. Dowd and Timothy M. Dowd; and his longtime dear friend, Jean I. Lenilko. His relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 9 a.m. with Reflections by His Family at 9:30 a.m. and a Prayer Service at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His Burial will follow the Prayer Service at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please note that due to allergies, his family requests that no one wear colognes or perfumes. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com