It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Colin Dowell, who died peacefully at home on 2 April 2020.

Husband to Rachael for 46 years; father to Lee, Laurie, Rob, Katy and Emily; and grandfather to Emma, Dylan, Molly and Callum; Lauren, Georgia, Morgan and Riley; Millie and Izzie; Sophie, Louis and Alice; Finnian and Jacob. Son of Malcolm
and Jean; big brother to Mark.

Dad met Mum while still at school, they married aged 18 at Collaton St Mary Church in Paignton and within the next ten years had five children. Before launching their drainage business under the Metro Rod franchise in 1986, Dad worked mostly in construction with Bovis Homes but in the cash- strapped 1970s he did a variety of jobs to help make ends meet – from bus conductor to farm worker. Mum and Dad brought into the Metro Rod franchise
in 1986, with dad out in the van unblocking drains while mum took calls at the kitchen table in our council house in Foxhole. If you asked him what he did for a living, the most common response would be: “I shovel shit”. 

Their tenacity, determination, hard work and strong business sense, combined with dad’s ‘no bullshit’ attitude (whether you liked it or not) helped turn Metro Rod into a success. In 1999 they launched Exjet with 15 employees. Over the last 34 years, mum and dad have employed hundreds of people and worked with thousands of businesses. Dad never thought of himself as an entrepreneur often remarking that he wouldn’t have started in business without mum’s encouragement, but he was rightly proud of their business achievements. He rewarded hard work, loyalty, honesty and punctuality, but couldn’t stand arrogance, pomp and snarkiness: “Don’t take the mickey”, was a common phrase.

Each child and grandchild carry their own special memories of Dad. His ability to sweep the floor and hoover seven times in a day; how he answered the landline to our friends (“yes, she’s here”, slams phone down); his hair and beloved hairbrush (scroll down for pictures); and his constant strength. His wish and ambition for each of us was to find happiness and contentment, however that looked.

Each of us has a passion for rugby inspired by Dad, Saturday afternoon matches couldn’t be avoided growing up in Kings Road. Dad played for Paignton Rugby Club as a teenager and remained an avid supporter of the club throughout his life. He was a regular at Twickenham with Jerry and co until a few years ago, roaring England on to win whether at home or in the crowds at the stadiums. Closer to home, Dad supported Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, yelling “pillock” from the stands where he stood with Gandhi.

Of course, when he wasn’t at home or work, you were most likely to find dad in the “club”. Dad was a member of Palace Place for decades, it was the cornerstone of his social life. It was also his refuge. I’m not exactly sure what happened in the club, women are denied entry (a bone of contention between a traditionalist and his feminist daughter), but he spoke fondly of playing euchre with Terry Issacs and the Cooper twins, and enjoyed a pint with good friends, including Alby, Charlie and Russell among many many others. We have no doubt he will be sorely missed in the club.

While Dad wasn’t keen on long days on the beach, his love for the sea defined his life. In recent months he has walked the coastline almost daily and we want to extend special thanks to Phil Dimmick  for helping him achieve his daily targets. Metro was our family dog, but in 2014 mum and dad welcomed Ned into the family and he was the biggest beneficiary of the walks in recent years.

And so to mum and dad:

My parents came into adulthood as a pair, they raised a family and built a successful business. They walked through life hand in hand and worked hard together to turn dreams into reality – just last September they ventured on cruise around the Baltics. Over the last twenty years they have travelled the world together, from Japan to South America, the US to South Africa and China, and of course, his beloved India and Lanzarote.

 They had many happy memories of times spent together with friends. From holidays with Kevin and Mui either at their home in Spain, named ‘Shed 3’ by Dad or racing through the streets of Budapest with a taxi driver who thought he was Nigel Mansell, to evenings full of wine, laughter and mickey taking with Phil and Josey. It is impossible to include everyone but Colin treasured all the friendships that he made over the years.

Wherever Dad was, mum stood beside him, encouraging him to be the best he could be. He wasn’t always an easy man to be beside (who can forget when he booked a ticket to go on tour with the Lions in Australia in 2013?), but he was mum’s biggest supporter and his belief in her was unwavering. Their mutual trust, love and faith in each other was and is the core of their strength. They were best friends for 50 years, a partnership that faced many challenges but which they always overcame because they worked together.

Dad, we will miss your pearls of wisdom, your advice and your humour. We will miss the walks and the rugby and singing loud so all the neighbours can hear. We will miss the yelling and the laughing, the quiet talks and the arse-kickers.       

We carry you with us in our hearts and every day we hear you; you are not an island.

Gone but never forgotten.

Details of the funeral are to be confirmed, but given current circumstances are likely to be limited to immediate family. We intend to hold a memorial for Dad in the autumn.

We appreciate that times are tough, so please  do not send flowers. Any donations should go to Rowcroft Hospice (details below) whose nurses and carers helped dad through his final months. We cannot thank Rowcroft enough for their support, good  humour and advice during these last months.

We would love to see your memories of Dad, please share comments and photos below.