Samuel Downs

DOWNS, SAMUEL A., JR. In Yale New Haven Hospital, Friday, March 9, 2012, Samuel A. Downs Jr, 85, of 125 Lake Dr, North Guilford. Husband of the late Lila Rusconi Downs. Born May 21, 1926 in New Haven, CT, son of the late Samuel A. and Martha Shaw Downs, Sr. Loving father of Wendy A. Downs of Guilford. Brother-in-law of Warren and his wife Marlene Rusconi of Killingworth, CT. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, a brother and a brother-in-law. Mr. Downs worked as a bus driver for the Shoreline Railway Company before he entered the military during WW II. He served in the US Army 8th Air Corps in the Mighty 305th and after the war on the Casey Jones Project; filming Africa from the air. He was an original member of the Guilford Police Department and retired as Chief of Police. Upon his retirement he drove a school bus in Guilford and worked as a courier for Diagnostic Medical Lab. He took great pride in being an Honorary Chief of the Guilford Voluntary Fire Department. Mr. Downs was also a long time Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow recipient and one of the original founding members of the Guilford Sportsman Club. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10 am in the North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd, North Guilford, CT. Burial private in North Guilford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mr. Downs may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford, CT 06437. For more information or to place on-line condolences, please visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com