Obituary of Dennis O. Dowd

Dennis Owen Dowd, 77, passed away June 23rd surrounded by his family. His life will be celebrated at a Mass for Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Church, Orange, NJ on Wednesday July 2nd at 11:00 AM followed by a repast.

Dennis was the son of NJ State Senator David Dowd and Connie Sansone Dowd. He treasured both his Irish and Italian heritage.

He graduated from Rutgers University and received his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. Dennis’ family has been involved in thoroughbred horse racing for generations. In high school, he was a groom at Monmouth Park Racetrack working for his Uncle Bernie Dowd, a horse trainer. Dennis became Chairman of the New Jersey Racing Commission and later became President of Freehold Raceway. He went on to become Director of Racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and then Senior VP of Legal and Government Affairs overseeing Monmouth Park, Meadowlands Racetrack, Giant Stadium and the Izod Arena. In 2007 he was responsible for bringing the Breeder’s Cup, a major international thoroughbred racing event, to New Jersey.

Dennis was an executive for Bally’s Corporation, responsible for their racetrack portfolio. Later, he became a consultant to multiple organizations including the International Securities Exchange and the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of NJ. In 2015, Dennis became the Chief Judge in the Township of West Orange, where he had earlier served as President of the Township Council.

An avid sportsman, Dennis represented the United States on the US Amateur Harness Racing Team where he raced in Italy, Germany and Russia. He loved to travel and visited 21 countries. However, his favorite place was his beach house on Long Beach Island, where he and his family enjoyed the past 38 summers together.

Dennis was a voracious reader and gifted raconteur as well as the family historian.

He was predeceased by his brother David, and one year ago by his beloved daughter Molly.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, his college sweetheart and wife of 53 years. He is also survived by his son David and his wife Rajni; his son Padraic and his partner Gina; his son-in-law Michael; and his beloved grandchildren Diego, Lucienne, Theo, and Mary George.

He is also survived by his siblings, Dana Dowd Williams and her husband, Mark; Daniel and his wife, Kathy; Mary Ann Meyer; Tom and his wife, Cathy, and Angela Trampota, along with devoted nieces and nephews.

He reveled in being a grandfather and thoroughly enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to fish and cook, both of his passions.

Dennis genuinely loved people and made friends from all walks of life with great ease. Throughout his life, he helped and mentored countless people.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends for his generosity, warmth, wit and wisdom.