Robert C. Downs

Robert C. Downs, 86, of Natick, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Mary Ann Morse Nursing Home in Natick. He was the beloved husband for 58 years of Rita E. (Hayes) Downs, who died in 2004. A Natick resident for 62 years, he was born in the Brooklyn section of New York City, son of the late Charles Lehman and Helen R. (Norkus) Downs. Mr. Downs was with the IBM Corporation for 41 years, retiring as a systems engineer in 1991. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II aboard the much heralded destroyer, the USS Murphy. During the D-Day Invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach, the USS Murphy provided fire support, screen duty, engaged in gun duels with the German shore batteries, and repelled numerous German U-boat and torpedo attacks. In late 1944, his ship escorted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Malta and Egypt conferences. The USS Murphy was the first U.S warship to enter the harbor of Jidda in Saudi Arabia to transport King Ibn Saud to a treaty meeting on a larger ship with FDR. The king had previously never left his country or traveled by ship. Mr. Downs remained active with the USS Murphy reunions and maintained friendships with his shipmates throughout his life. He was a devout member of St. Patrick Parish in Natick, was active in the Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society and taught CCD for many years. He is survived by eight children, Robert C. Downs Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Bedford, Maureen ONeil and her husband, Pete, of Brookline, N.H., John Downs and his wife, Hazel, of Bellingham, Joseph Downs of Bellingham, Rita Bell and her husband, Andy, of Holliston, Daniel Downs of Boston, David Downs of Boulder, Colo., Helen Downs of Sarasota, Fla.; one brother, Vincent Downs of Jupiter Beach, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Charles Downs, Jeanne Finnerty, Anna Margaret Downs; and brother of the late Charles Downs and Eugene Downs. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9 a.m., at the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian burial, at St. Patrick Church, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours are Monday, Jan. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial with naval military honors will take place Tuesday, at 1:15 p.m., in The Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to a charity of ones choice. For directions or to send the Downs family online condolences please visit www.everettfuneral.com.