"The fact that we have so many wonderful old buildings in downtown… it wasn’t solely him but it required someone who had the enthusiasm, the drive, the knowledge, and he had all of those things," he said...

But that barely scratches the surface of all the hats he wore: president of the Manitoba Historical Society, Manitoba governor for the National Trust of Canada, co-chair of Streetcar 356, and he was involved with Upper Fort Garry and the Centennial Farm Award...

"He was a teacher, educator, quick wit, quick study, always telling bad jokes — groaners — with a twinkle in his eye," said Stothers, who worked with McDowell to restore Winnipeg’s last streetcar to its former glory."