John Raymond Downes

Augusta – John Raymond Downes, 85, went to be with the Lord on January 21, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He had been in the stellar hands of the staff at Togus Springs Hospice.

Ray was born on September 15, 1940, in Portland, ME, the son of John and Eleanor Downes. He graduated from Deering High School, went into the US Navy serving aboard the USS Gyatt, and then worked for many years in the auto parts business.

Ray and his wife of 60 years, Rosalie, loved to go camping with family and friends, and were very active in their church, Clark Memorial UMC. He loved singing in the choir, working at the baked bean suppers and fall craft fairs. His favorite pastimes were playing the piano and organ, working on his antique car and going to Beech Ridge Speedway for Thursday Thunder Races. From a young age, he loved working on model cars.

Ray is predeceased by his parents and his brother-in-law, David Schroeder.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; his two children, Dawn Peabody and her husband Alden, and Glen Downes and his wife, Lisa; his three grandchildren, Katie Church and her husband, Michael, Bradley Downes, and Kasey Downes, two great-granddaughters, several nieces and nephews and brother-in-law Herbert Hoppe and his wife, Carolyn.

Additionally, he is survived by his siblings, L. Marlene Tordoff and her husband, Arthur, M. Elizabeth Schroeder, and J. Delwyn Downes and his wife, Dorita.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Blanchard Cemetery, 215 Winn Road, Falmouth, Maine, date and time to be announced.

Arrangements by Knowlton & Hewins and Roberts Funeral Home in Augusta, Maine.

The family would like to thank Togus Hospital and Togus Springs Hospice for their empathy and compassion as they cared for Ray.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Togus Springs. A check can be made payable to: CDCE. In the memo, put "Togus Springs in memory of John Raymond Downes."

Send to:

VA Maine Healthcare System

1 VA Center

Augusta, ME 04330