Joseph McDowell

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Thursday November 5th from 10:30 AM until 1 PM. 

A prayer service will be held at 1 PM.

Joseph G. McDowell, 72, of Coxsackie died Sunday November 1, 2026 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. He was born December 1, 1953 in Newburgh, a son of the late Warren and Frances McDowell.

Joseph worked for many years for the New York State Office of Children & Family Services as a Youth Division Aide. After his work with New York State, he began work with Questar III as a Health and Safety Officer and trainer.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing in his earlier years. While spending time outdoors he also developed a knack for photography and, of course, loved riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. With his respect for nature came his love for animals, where he was once a freelance dog trainer in Colorado with his Irish Wolfhound. While in Colorado he also served his community as an auxiliary police officer in Longmont. He was a former member of the New Paltz fire department and also enjoyed acting in local productions.

Surviving is his wife Patricia McDowell, daughters Meghan McGarry and her husband Peter, Shannon Potter, and stepdaughter Cherelyn Volpert and her husband Josh. He is also survived by his grandchildren Owen, Liam, Ashlynn, Jamaine, Quincy, Je'Nae and her husband Javier, and Victor and great grandchildren Javier, Jr. and Jensen. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers John and David McDowell.

Expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers may be made in the form of contributions to the Columbia-Greene or Ulster County SPCA.