Brian K. Downing Sr.

Brian Downing Sr. was born in Trenton, NJ on May 13, 1965, to Bernice owning Bartee and Thomas Horton. He answered the call to his heavenly home on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.
Brian (AKA "The Bumblebee") was a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Junior High, Notre Dame High School and attended Bloomfield College in Bloomfield NJ. He was in the first class of the Urban League Guild, Gentlemen's Ball in 1983. Brian was fmployed by NJ Transit as a Parts Specialist.
An avid reader, he enjoyed reading all types of cooks, especially ones written by African American writers. He also shared his knowledge of Black History and basketball with others. Brian also liked to travel and attend plays in New York anc;l the Trenton area.
Brian enjoyed all sports, with the Cleveland Browns being his favoritE! football team, but basketball was the sport he loved to play. He began playing In his youth and continued throughout
his school years. He also played in the summer leagues at various parks in the Trenton area.He had numerous friends and acquaintances, who he enjoyed spending time with. We have lost a
beautiful person who could light up any room he entered, there was never a dull moment when Brian was around.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Dover Sr. and Bernice Downing; his paternal grandparents; his aunts, Josephine Downing, Ethel Downing Johnson; his uncle Eugene Downing Sr.; his Godson Sadeek Johnson.
He leaves to cherish his memory mother Berqice Bartee; father Thomas Horton; son Brian Downing Jr.; brother Gregory Horton; uncles Dover Downing (Charlotte), NJ, Al Downing, CA; aunts: Barbara Tillery (Harvey) TN, Cathy Dismukes, and Everene Downing, NJ; his many cousins and their children and grandchildren; a special friend Marquita Crawford; her daughters, Shauntese Conover, August Crawford; his Godson Jamil Abdullah and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be 1pm Friday, February 28, 2025 at Union Baptist Church, 301 Pennington Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hours will be 11am until the time of service. Interment will be private.
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