Jerry Dowling

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Jerry Dowling, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, on March 7, 2026, at age 86. Born to George and Eileen Dowling, he is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughter, Karen Wiesner (Bill); brother, Tony Dowling (Barbara); sister-in-law, Anne Dowling; and his grandchildren, Kevin and Emma Schlachter, and Jake and Kelsey Wiesner. He was preceded in death by their daughter, Shannon Schlachter; his brother, Robert Dowling; and his sister, Elaine Dowling.

A longtime resident of Windsor, Ontario, Jerry built a distinguished career as a professional sports editorial cartoonist in Cincinnati, where he lived for nearly 60 years. He began his professional life in 1962 designing whiskey labels at Hiram Walker in Windsor, Ontario, before joining The Cincinnati Enquirer in 1967 as its sports cartoonist, a position he held until 1995. During the Reds’ dominant run in the 1970s, his “Big Red Machine” cartoon became one of his most enduring works, helping to solidify the nickname that came to define that era of Cincinnati baseball.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home in Burlington, Kentucky, with interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In remembrance of Jerry, the family encourages donations to the UC Health Liver Transplant Program at uchealth.com. Please specify “University of Cincinnati Medical Center – Liver Transplant Program” in the notes.