Monday, June 3, 2024
Dear Alice and Family
Firstly, my sincerest condolences to Alice and Family.
Although I have lived away from Orillia for over 40 something years, friends of mine who reside in Orillia, recently notified me of Mr Dowswells passing knowing how much he had meant to me during and after my high school years. I am saddened but have the fondest memories of Mr Dowswell and our Wrestling Team.
I attended Park Street from 1972 to 1975.
As a skinny, long haired, pimply faced student lacking in total confidence I could not believe it when Mr Dowswell invited me to be part of his Wrestling Team. Meeting Mr Dowswell and becoming a member of his team was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Attending that first practise I was terrified, not knowing what to expect, but noted when I got there that there were a large number of boys of every shape and size participating.
Mr Dowswell taught us everything from physical fitness, mental toughness, discipline, commitment, confidence, team spirit and many life skills. He taught us new wrestling language like chicken wing, pretzel, baroni and other names I have since forgotten. Mr Dowswell even taught us how to take care of our school wrestling outfits, showing us how to fold and take pride in our jersey’s. To this day I still fold my shirts the same way!!!
I truly believe that joining his team gave me purpose and kept me in school.
I went on to win the Provincials in Greco Roman Wrestling and travelled to Regina, Sask., to compete in the National's. I won GBSSA 3 years in a row at 3 different weight classes. I travelled to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay by airplane to compete in the Pan American Games (the first time in a plane). All because of Mr Dowswell!!
So in closing, I must acknowledge you Alice….Mr Dowswell spent a ton of his spare time after school and on weekend tournaments with us away from the family. I am grateful for that and from the bottom of my heart thank you for sharing him with us.
Marshall Canning
Chapleau, Ont.
