John Raymond "Jack" Downing Sr.

1939 - 2015

John "Jack" Raymond Downing, Sr. Jul. 12, 1939 - Jan. 25, 2015 SALEM - John R. "Jack" Downing Sr., 75, passed away early Sunday morning with his loving wife by his side in their home in Salem. He fought a courageous battle with heart disease for over 35 years. Jack was born July 12, 1939 in New London to the late John Cyril and Clara Elizabeth (Keyes) Downing. Jack spent his childhood in Montville. As a child he loved racing down the train tracks and going crabbing off the rocks down by the paper mill with friends and his late cousin Richard "Dick" Rice. He met the love of his life, Emily Susanne Marceau, while visiting her parents and he knew this girl was the one. They married on July 29, 1961. They built a life together and raised a family. They lived for a time in Lyme and Jack managed the Raymond cow farm with lifelong friends, the late Robert Demars and his wife Ruth. He was a member of the local carpenters union and laborers union, and worked for many years at Stone Container paper mill. He enjoyed weekly cribbage matches and visits with his cousin Dick and his lovely wife Jacqueline, a longtime friend. Jack loved fishing and hunting with his buddies Harold and John Tourjee. He also enjoyed traveling and a good drink with friends. He was an avid NASCAR fan and Mark Martin enthusiast. He was a fun-loving man who was quick with a joke and loved to make people laugh. He could sit and tell stories and jokes for hours and never repeat the same one twice. He was loved by everyone he crossed paths with and made friends easily. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Emily, and their three children, son John R. Downing Jr. and his wife Barbara, their children, Desiree and her husband Justin, Danielle, Ashleigh and Andrew, and their grandchild Alaina; son Michael and his wife Candace, their children Angelica and Jordan; daughter Darlene Garthwait and her husband Jim and their four legged children. In addition daughter Cynthia Buchan and her husband David, and their children Seth and Mitchell; his sister Viola MacGregor, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones. He was predeceased by his sisters, Arlene Deveau and Myrtle Florence and brother Gerald Downing Sr. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to John A. Foley M.D. for his unwavering care as Jack's Cardiologist over the past several years. Calling hours will be held on Fri., February 6, from 5-8 P.M. at the Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 11 Jerome Rd, Uncasville. Funeral services will be Saturday February 7th, at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Comstock Cemetery, Depot Road, Uncasville. A celebration of his life is planned at the VFW Post 10060, 1 Raymond Hill Road, Uncasville immediately following services. Donations can be made in his name to Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St, Norwich, CT 06360 or The American Heart Association.