Peter Walter Dowling (known as “Coach Dowling”) entered into eternal life on September 24, 2017
in Oceanside, California. His spirit is carried on by his loving wife of 46 years, Mary
Elizabeth Dowling; his son, Sean Patrick Dowling and daughter, Marie Louise Pitzalis of
Oceanside; his brother Colonel Robert Joseph Dowling, of Davis, California; and nephew,
Todd Dowling and niece, Courtney Dowling. Peter was grandfather to six grandchildren and
two great grandchildren.

 

Born in New York City on October 14, 1938, to Walter Michael Dowling and Emily Marie
Dornan, Peter accomplished many achievements early in his life. In 1948 at 10 years of age,
Peter was presented with the “Best Scout Award” in New York City by Generals Dwight D.
Eisenhower and James Doolittle.

 

Peter’s family moved from NYC to Sylvania, Ohio in 1950. There Peter was active in
his church, farming, school athletics and a lifeguard. After he graduated from Sylvania High
School, he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he became a commercial teller for Florida
National Bank. Seeking opportunities in the West, he accepted a position with Bank of
America and became one of the youngest branch managers at the Sunset /La Cienega
boulevards branch in Hollywood, California.

 

Peter met his wife Mary Sobnosky in San Diego, California on August 19, 1970. Mary was
working at General Dynamics in the Space division. Later in her career, she went back to
school at San Diego State University and received a Degree in Design and Manufacturing
Engineering.

 

In his banking career, Peter worked alongside Vincent Guiliano, who became their closest
family friend. Peter and Mary also lived in Thousand Oaks, California where their son Sean
Patrick was born in 1972. Then they moved to Issaquah, Washington in 1975 which was the
best place for their family.

 

During that time, Peter experienced something that he became very passionate about. He
totally changed his career and became “Coach Dowling” at Issaquah High School where he
enjoyed giving many young men and one young lady the challenge to become the best
athletes in golf and baseball. The golf team was on fire during tournaments. Due to the love
and lessons that Peter taught the youth, they became Kingco Champions from 1974 – 1987,
District Champions in 1980 – 1987, and State Champions in 1984 – 1987. Peter was named
Coach of the Year from 1984 – 1987.

 

Peter and Mary pursued their love of sailing together around Seattle’s Puget Sound and also
the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Canada. Seattle will always be the place that holds so many
memories and remains in their hearts and in spirit.

 

New opportunities for Mary with L-3 Communications drew the family back to San Diego,
California in 1992. And later she retired from L-3 Communications Telemetry-West as
Manager of Supplier Quality. Then Peter and Mary enjoyed watching their grandchildren
grow and get married.

 

A Catholic mass will be held at Saint Thomas More in Oceanside on October 2, 2017

at 11:00 a.m. and private burial will be at San Luis Rey Mission.

 

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.