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Augustus "Gus" Downing
Augustus "Gus" Downing
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Augustus "Gus" Downing Obituary
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline (Bryan) of Venice, Florida; son, Gregory Baysek of San Francisco, California; sister, Dianna Culpepper; aunt, Betty McCraw, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; sister-in-law, Susette Bryan, of Venice, Florida; Goddaughter, Elizabeth Bryan-Caswell (husband Andrew), and great-nephew Oliver William Bryan-Caswell of Gainesville, Florida. He was predeceased by his sister, Lynne.
Gus graduated from Lakeland Community College and attended John Carroll University. He briefly taught Criminal Justice at Case Western Reserve University.
Gus was the CEO of Downing & Downing, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1983. His work with the D&D Daily, the leading online daily newsletter for the retail loss prevention industry, was unparalleled with worldwide circulation. He had a vibrancy and passion for his work like no other. He summed it up while accepting the 'Ring of Excellence' award from the National Retail Federation in 2019 by saying, "Many can make a splash, but few can change the tide." Gus certainly changed the tide in both his personal and professional lives.
In his earlier years, Gus immersed himself in his community, believing everyone can make a difference. His firm created and staffed the first Economic Development Division in Lake County, Ohio. He was also a congressional finance chairman and a member of numerous local charitable organizations. A lover of wildlife, he was one of the original 'Gorilla-Givers', responsible for the birth of the Rain Forest at the Cleveland Zoo.
Gus will be profoundly missed by his family and the many colleagues and friends he mentored throughout his life.
Services and burial will take place in Venice, Florida, with details to be announced at a later date.
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Gio (Giovanni Salvo)
January 27, 2025
He was kind to big and small industry players and hopefully he will have inspired many to be the same way.
His passion for the RLP industry was contagious.
He leaves behind a great legacy. A true leader.
RIP Gus!
Keith White
January 26, 2025
I first met Gus 25 years ago when he recruited me to become Vice President of Loss Prevention for Gap Inc. My first VP level assignment. Gus spent an incredible amount of time preparing me for one of the biggest interviews of my career at that point. We talked several times a day and for what seem like months and for some reason he started calling me "Keithers". A nickname that stuck for only him, for the entire time I knew him. When Gap offered me the job, Gus set in place a series of leaders in Specialty Retail to mentor and develop me. I was amazed at the fact that his recruiting of me didn't stop at just the job offer being accepted. I am forever grateful for that crucial development that he provided me with in the early days. From that moment forward we formed an unbreakable bond to champion Diversity in the industry. Gus's passion for Diversity and building a professional Retail Security industry was unmatched! He dedicated resources to IOBSE (International Organization of Black Security Professionals), he interviewed a number of our members, including our founders, and every chance he got, he recruited members for us, placed many of them in career defining jobs and developed a strategic alliance with me/us that was ahead of it's time. I will miss Gus and I thank God he was in my life and someone I could always count on. To his family and friends, please honor Gus's legacy by helping others and wildly exceeding their expectations! Rest in Peace Gus and know that the example you set will always be remembered and cherished! Your Friend Keith White, aka Keithers
Gordon E. Smith
January 24, 2025
Gus has been part of my life both in Loss Prevention and here at Downing & Downing for a very long time. Starting in the 80´s, I had the honor of meeting with Gus in a small, cluttered office in Mentor, Ohio, where he told me,.."We can work with you". That meeting was followed by being placed in the industry 3 times by Downing and Downing. After traveling the country for years and several moves, Gus invited me to join the Family here in Cleveland.. Gus was a bigger than life character with a passion for what he did and what he demanded from his Team.. Gus believed in giving 100%, then followed by re-evaluation and doing it bigger and better the next time. Gus was always a Teacher that had a story for every situation, believe me, over the last 20+ years I have heard them all.. Gus referred to me as his `brother´, which was usually following a disagreement ...we would hash it out, followed by apologies...and he would always say, All part of working with Family. I will miss my boss, mentor, friend and `brother´.... Rest easy, We Got This !
David J Myers
January 24, 2025
I worked with Gus for many years. I met him back when he was still working in retail security. I knew Gus Sr. as well. Later when while Gus became the premier loss prevention recruiter, I gave him candidates who needed new opportunities and also hired very qualified candidates he sent my way. We shared many personal experiences, gave each other personal and professional advice and support...and his charity golf events were one of the annual highlight for many years. The Newsletter was a truly smart and successful move as the recruiting business evolved into the on-line world. Since I retired in 2009, we checked in with each other from time to time. I will definitely miss him... Dave Myers (Venture Stores, Household Merchandising, Stop & Shop, Montgomery Ward/Se-Kure Controls)
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Colin Peacock
January 24, 2025
Taken too soon, Gus was fired by a passion to inform, educate and make the world of loss prevention a better place and community. He will be sorely missed. A legend. Very sad day. RIP Gus.
Hedgie Bartol
January 24, 2025
I suppose that the only way I can sum this up is that Gus was always there to help and support me. He was quick to give me a hand or leg up without requiring whatever company I was with to be a sponsor. He cared about ME. He helped ME. I will always be grateful to him for that.
Sean Colarossi
January 23, 2025
Gus was truly one of a kind! Over the past decade of working with him, there was never a dull moment. His passion for the D&D Daily was absolutely infectious, and he had a unique way of making everyone on the team feel like we were contributing to something greater than ourselves. "What you're doing is making an impact," he would often remind us. I´ll forever be grateful for his guidance and mentorship throughout the years. We´re fortunate to have the opportunity to carry his legacy forward and continue the work he cared so deeply about. We'll miss you, Gus.
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