Glowing tribute to Longford native who was a champion gymnast and first-class soldier

Glowing tributes have been paid to Longford native Michael Dowler who has been remembered as a champion gymnast and first-class soldier.

The death occurred on Thursday, February 23, 2023 of Michael Dowler, Retired Irish Defence Forces, 28 Tormey Villas, Athlone, Co Westmeath and formerly of Legan, Co Longford.

Mick, a native of Legan, Co Longford, resided most of his life in Athlone.

Sympathy is extended to his loving wife Alice, sons John & Michael, daughters Lynda (Dolan), Audrey (Dowler) & Maria (Heffernan), brothers, sisters, in-laws, his adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and many friends. May He Rest In Peace.

The Peter Keenan Branch ONE, Longford paid tribute to the late, ex Sergeant Michael (Mick) Dowler of the 6th Infantry Battalion. 

"He enlisted in the army in the 1950s, he came from a military background, his grandfather and granduncle both served in the Great War.

The thousands of recruits that passed through Custume Barracks, in the 60s, 70s, and 80s will remember Mick as the Sergeant in the gym. He was an excellent PE Instructor and expert gymnast.

He trained so many, down through the years, and those teams, and himself, won several All-Army titles.

His own speciality was the rings where he could perform the ‘Iron Cross’ or ‘crucifix’ with little effort. A first-class soldier, he served with the 32nd Battalion in the Belgium Congo in 1960.

He served with 4th Inf Group in Cyprus in 1965 and the 44th Battalion in Lebanon in 1978-1979.

During The Troubles, before the border battalions were set up, he served in the Finner Camp for three-month periods and Ballyconnell was a one-month stint.

To his wife, family, relatives and many friends the Peter Keenan Branch of ONET offer our sincere condolences. Rest in peace Michael."

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Reposing at Flynn's Funeral Home, The Strand on Sunday evening, February 26 from 4pm until 6pm.

Requiem Mass on Monday, February 27 in Our Lady Queen of Peace, Coosan Church at 10:30am with cremation afterwards in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.

For those who wish to live stream Michael's Funeral Mass, please click on the link below on Monday, February 27 at 10:30am: https://www.churchservices.tv/coosan 

For those who wish to live stream Michael's cremation service, please click on the link below on Monday, February 27 at 1:30pm: https://www.churchservices.tv/lakelands