Robert M. "Downsey" Downes

Robert M. Downes "Downsey", 81, of New Britain, died Thursday, (July 26, 2001) at John Dempsey Hospital, after a long illness. The son of the late John E. and Mary (Fitzgerald) Downes, he was a lifelong resident of New Britain. Robert attended RCA Radio Institute in New York City, NY. He later became a radio engineer for WTIC Radio in Hartford where he worked for 44 years. He was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Robert is survived by his wife, Ann (Crowley) Downes; a daughter, Karen Mankowski, of Lafayette, CA; five sons, Robert J. Downes of Half Moon Bay, CA, William F. Downes of Southington, Michael D. Downes, Brian C. Downes and Jeffrey P. Downes, all of New Britain. He was predeceased by a son, Stephen J. Downes. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Sarah, Mary Beth and Rebecca Mankowski of Lafayette, CA, Mailene and Kian Downes of New Britain and Caitlin, Kateri and William Downes of Southington. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 30, 9 a.m. from the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Maurice Church, 100 Wightman Road, New Britain. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Sunday, 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Central CT, 40 East St., Plainville, CT, 06062 or to the Hospital for Special Care, 2150 Corbin Ave., New Britain, CT, 06053.