ROCKLAND – James Albert Dowling, 76, husband of the late Dorothy Curtis Dowling, died peacefully, Jan. 27, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Rockport, with his daughter Mary, and son Jamie, at his side.

Born in Springfield, Mass., March 1, 1928, he was the son of Benedict and Marie Albrt Dowling.

During the Great Depression, he moved with his family to Gardiner where his mother died. Later his family moved to Damariscotta and ultimately, Rockland. His father later married Dorothy Blethen, whom he came to consider his own mother.

He was a 1945 graduate of Rockland High School, where he enjoyed playing football.

From 1945 to 1946 he served in the U.S. Navy, where he played with the Drum and Bugle Corp.

He loved to play piano and auditioned at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He was ultimately accepted into Manhattan Conservatory of Music, but decided to pursue his pilot’s license.

He attended Boston University. On April 12, 1955, he earned his U.S. Department of Commerce Civil Aeronautics Administration Certificate in Washington, D.C. A commercial pilot for 32 years, he flew 27 of those in the Captain’s seat with Northeast and Delta Airlines. After retiring, he owned and operated Omni Leasing at Knox County Regional Airport.

For several years, he served with the Knox County Regional Airport Advisory Board.

He loved being on the water and particularly enjoyed sitting aboard his boats, the first being the Mary James and the second, the Mary James II.

He is survived by one daughter, Mary Margaret Pietroski and her husband John of South Paris; one son, James E. Dowling of Rockland; his companion, Maryann “Polly” Storer of Rockland; two granddaughters, Jenny M Pietroski and Molly R. Pietroski both of South Paris.

He was predeceased by his wife in 1994 and two brothers, Hartwell and Benjamin.