Richard S. Jowdy

Richard S. Jowdy, age 90, passed away on Tuesday September 17th, 2024. Born in Danbury on July 6th, 1934, Richard attended St. Peter’s Catholic School, and graduated from Danbury High School in 1953 where he earned the nickname “The Big Toe” when he helped the Danbury football team beat Norwalk High School by a field goal at the end of the game. After High School, Richard valiantly served our country in the United States Army for two years following the Korean War, and during that time was stationed in Korea for six months, and Iwo Jima, Japan for one year. Upon returning to the United States, he later married the love of his life, Arlene Dawson, in 1957.

The young couple opened “Jowdy Donuts”, a wholesale bakery products business serving restaurants and grocery stores in Danbury, where they also maintained an annual booth for several years in the Big Top at the Great Danbury State Fair. It was through diligent work and dedicated effort with the donut business that led to the skills required when opening his first real estate office in 1968. In 1970, Richard was elected Chairman of the Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals, where he held the position for over 40 years. Since opening his first office, Richard’s real estate business had grown to 10 offices in the greater Danbury area and surrounding towns. By that time he was considered one of the most successful real estate Brokers in the area by helping thousands of families find their homes during that fifteen-year span. In 1985, his local real estate Brokerage was purchased by Merrill Lynch Realty, followed by Prudential CT Reality, and then Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, where he continued to thrive as Danbury’s most well known Broker for many more years.

Throughout his successful career in the real estate business, other honorable designations in the past have included President of the Lebanon American Club, President of the St. Anthony’s Holy Name Society, the Vice President of the National Order of St. Charbel, and President of the Kiwanis Club.

A long list of community engagement also included positions as a member of the Board of Directors for the Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of the Danbury United Way, Board of Directors of the Pope John Paul II Health Care Center, Board of Directors of the Danbury Chapter of Jaycees, and Board of Directors for the Danbury War Memorial.

Richard also proudly served as local Chairman for the New York Herald Tribune Children’s Fresh Air Fund, local Chairman of the Fairfield County Leukemia Society Fund Drive, and local Chairman of the Connecticut Regional Boy’s and Girl’s Work for Kiwanis International.

Richard was the recipient of many awards throughout his lifetime, including the Kiwanian of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Service, the Kiwanis Club 55 Year Legion of Honor Award, the Danbury JC’s Outstanding Distinguished Community Service Award, the CT Conference of Municipalities 30-Year Certificate of Distinguished Municipal Services Award, and the Danbury Old Timer’s Athletic Award for Football.

In addition to serving the Danbury community to such a great extent, Richard was also known as being the founder and originator of the Kiwanis Danbury High School “All Night Graduation Party”, and was instrumental to the construction of St. Anthony’s Church on Granville Avenue as a Committee member, where he served as Chairman of the St. Anthony’s burning of the mortgage celebration. Events such as these contributed to his lifelong proclivity as Toast Master for many public and private benefit functions held at the Amber Room Colonnade, Ridgewood Country Club, and Ethan Allen Inn, just to name a few.

In his lifetime, Richard helped build the foundation for the lives of many folks, and had a profoundly positive impact on the Danbury community, along with the distinctive growth of the Town itself.

Richard was predeceased by his loving wife of over 50 years, Arlene, his beloved son, Jefferson, brother Albert, and parents, Emil and Rose Jowdy. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly, and youngest son, Jarrod as well as two brothers, Donald and Joseph.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church; 17 Granville Avenue, Danbury. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Saint Peter's Cemetery, Danbury. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard S. Jowdy Business Scholarship Fund at the Lebanon Club of Danbury, 22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810. Donations may also be made to St. Anthony’s Maronite Church, 17 Granville Avenue, Danbury, CT,  and Glen Hill Center, 1 Glen Hill Rd, Danbury, CT 06811.

Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.