Old Xaverians of long-standing will be saddened to learn of the recent passing of Professor John Dowling, who passed away after a brief illness in the middle of August.

In 1964, Johnny captained the Old Xavs to their first A Section Reserves premiership under Coach Bill Carroll and won the medal for that competition’s best and fairest. He played 103 games between 1960 and 1966, 94 in the Reserves and the other nine in the seniors.

After football, he excelled as a pathologist and proved to be a wonderful teacher and mentor for those at Monash Health, Alfred Health and elsewhere who followed his career path. He specialised in renal and kidney disease, hypertension and published many journal articles on these illnesses.

John is survived by his wife Pat and three of their four children. He was buried privately after his Requiem Mass at St Joseph’s, Elsternwick.

Requiescat in Pace.

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