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Justin Downs Obituary
Justin Thomas Andrew Downs, Anthroengineer
Justin Downs of Brooklyn, NY, died on July 27, 2021 in Fahnestock State Park, NY. He was 41. He leaves behind his loving mother, Linda Downs. His father, Timothy, predeceased him. Born in Detroit on March 30, 1980, Justin received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and MPS in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University. He founded two companies: John Henry's Hammer whose clients were Trasformazium, Starn Twins, David Byrne, Tony Oursler, Lucca Buvoli; and Grand Lab LLC whose clients were Organizmo in Colombia, UNICEF, Indianapolis Zoo, Modi Lab at Columbia University, Amorphic Robot Works, among others. He was chief engineer at Lion Guardians in Kenya and director of LINC, an AI database for lions throughout East Africa. He was VP at Nullery Care Community Health Initiative, called Cyclopedia; systems engineer Grid Alternatives in Nicaragua, Allied Media Projects, and the Farm-workers Association. Justin was a brilliant friend of the earth whose spirit will remain with the lives he touched around the world. Donations to New York Metropolitan Housing Council, Greenpeace, ACLU and NYCLU may be given in his name. A Zoom celebration of his life will be held on August 12th at 7:30 pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Justin Downs
Addie
July 28, 2025
I miss you Justin, I just keep reading over emails and text and realized its been another year without you. here is a photo you sent me from nepal and keep hoping you're up there happy and full of joy
Matti
June 2, 2025
I miss you!!
Jeanie Ritchie Fulmer
August 6, 2024
I have no words for such a loss. Justin was my incredible friend, roommate, and the best confident a girl could ask for when we both attended SVA. He always meant the world to me, even when life pulled us in different directions. The times we spent together and his heart of gold will never be forgotten. I love you Justin and you will always live in my heart.
Linda Downs
July 25, 2024
Dear Family and Friends:
This is the third year I will return to Fahnstock Park where he died in the forrest. There, I will place sea shells that Justin collected from his world travels. I miss our conversations, trips together, his sense of humor and his humanity.
Thank you all for remembering him with me.
Stefanie
July 25, 2024
I also think about Justin a lot. And all his visionary ideas, his big heart, the great conversations we had. I always felt understood. Justin once suggested he could visit me in Vienna (Austria), but I was too busy at that time. Now I really regret that I did not make time to see him. And hang out and talk. I just really cannot get over it, ...that he died. I wish he would have lived until 80 or 90, he was just really too young.
Kathy Walsh-Piper
July 25, 2024
Dear Linda: I remember sailing with. you and justin and Rubin and Tim. He was a great guy. You werelucky to have himfor a son. Take care of yourself. Love,Kathy
A
July 25, 2024
thinking of you today Linda and missing Justin all the time
AW
July 29, 2023
on the anniversary of justin´s death i swam in the ocean off the coast of corsica and looked for shells for him. i thought about how much we all miss him and in such a short period what an impact he made on all our lives. I miss him with all my heart
Linda Downs
July 26, 2023
Dear Family and Friends, This is the first time I have seen this site and am overwhelmed with the condolences and kind words about Justin. On this second anniversary of his death I will be placing sea shells that Justin found at the top of the Himalayas at the place where he died in Fahnstock Park. They were originally in the sea bed that was moved up into mountains over millennia. He always valued the long perspective. Much love to you all. Linda
Kathleen A. Walsh-Piper
July 25, 2023
Dear Linda: I am thinking of you today, with love, Kathy
Addie Wagenknecht
August 30, 2022
not sure who will see this, but I think of Justin all the time, I came across a bunch of emails where we had planned all these things around NY and Nepal in late 2019, then covid hit, and now the rest is lost with him. I constantly think of him, hear is laugh, remember the memories of him around NYC- he was such a light to myself and so many others..
Eugene Stumpf
June 21, 2022
Justin was the best of the best. Genius. Such a good soul. He's very missed.
John Bourdeau
February 23, 2022
Take care Justin. Condolences Linda. Still think about you buddy.
Namrata M
October 28, 2021
I have never met anyone with as big a heart and as giving a nature as Justin. He was a true Earth Angel and will be dearly missed.
My deepest, most heartfelt Condolences to his family
Thea Ermalovich-Hayek
October 9, 2021
Oh Linda, I am just devastated to see your letter and hear this. This shakes me to my core and I wish I was able to be there for you during this time. I loved Justin like a brother and have so many fond memories of staying up late in his room talking, spending time with he and my father, going to the theater, and my favorite wool sweater that he gave me. I felt invincible in the cold wearing his sweater. Justin was the kindest and most gentle soul, with talents far beyond the human race. His drive to help others in ways that hadn´t been done before or in areas that many people barely spend a thought on throughout life, is proof that Justin was an angel working diligently to overturn hell for as many as he could in his time here. There are no words for a loss of this magnitude, reaching far beyond our pain and sorrow, in to the greater collective and hopefully allowing him to help in ways he couldn´t before. I am certain my father is with him, they were great buddies and my father adored him as a son so I can only imagine the motorcycle rides and light work they are doing now together. Please come stay with us in Boca when you are ready, I would love to give you a hug and make sure you know how loved and special you are to me. My phone number is the same and my email attached here. I can´t wait to hear your voice. Love you and Justin so much,
Thea
Elise Burton
August 12, 2021
Linda, I am so sorry to learn of Justin´s death. He was always fun to talk with - full of ideas and stories of his work. He created and designed many fabulous things.
May his memory be for a blessing. Love, Elise
Alison Lee Schroeder
August 10, 2021
Hi Linda, I am so sorry for your loss, which is the world´s loss as well. Justin was a remarkable human being who will live on in my memory forever. Thank you for bringing him into this world, helping to shape him as a person, and for loving him deeply.
Chris Rubin
August 9, 2021
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news about Justin. He was a remarkably talanted young man whose contributions to the earth will be long remembered. If there is anything at all I can do to help you please let me kmow. Fondly, Chris
Kathy Walsh-Piper
August 7, 2021
Dear Linda: My heart goes out to you over your loss. Justin's life demonstrates great love for the earth and its creatures, and so much creativity and caring. You are in my thoughts. Love, Kathy
Keith D Amparado
August 3, 2021
Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Stephanie K. Blackwood
August 3, 2021
Linda, holding you with deepest concern and love.
Stephanie
Stefanie
August 3, 2021
It is really hard to accept that Justin is not among us any longer. We met as students at NYU 2008 and stayed in touch over the years. I experienced him as an extraordinary, creative, smart, humorous, sensitive, brave and outstandingly warm hearted person. With not only breath taking ideas, but also the technical skills and strenghts to actually make them happen and implement them in a way that makes the world better. I live in Austria again since 2010 so I could not hang out with Justin very offen, but when we did (in person or online) I had an inspiring and fantastic time. It breaks my heart that I will never meet him again. It in fact is a shock. I will miss him so much.
Amy Schussheim
August 1, 2021
Dear Linda,
I am so sorry. Your son had so many talents and did many important things in his life.
I remember talking to him in Israel at Sydney's wedding.
I hope with time you'll find some peace and comfort in your loving memories.
Sending healing thoughts,
Amy Schussheim
Tara Robinson
August 1, 2021
What a terrible loss: so accomplished and so young. Dear Linda so sorry to see this.
Samuel Sachs
August 1, 2021
Terrible news. We are so sorry and send our condolences.
Bonnie & Wally Palutke
August 1, 2021
Our families grew up together and vacationed at our cottages at Castle Park in Michigan. Justin was part of our family until adulthood. Those years are fondly and lovingly remembered as my son and his good friend, Justin, played together, fishing, bicycling, swimming and picking blueberries. Such a joyous memory of experiences at this time.
Justin loved the arts and, as an artist, I always admired his paintings. His heart was one of kindness and gentleness and his quest was to do good for others and make a difference. He traveled the world doing so and we had a great admiration for his work in Nicaragua and elsewhere and loved him for his determination.
Our heartfelt thoughts, comfort, and love go out to Justin's mom and family at this time of loss.
Love, Bonnie & Wally
Kathryne Andews
August 1, 2021
Dear Linda,
I am so sorry for the loss of your son, Justin. What a creative and generous soul he was, as is so evident from what he valued and supported.
I feel for you deeply and wish you courage and strength in the time ahead.
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