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Richard Downs Obituary
DOUGLAS - Richard A. Downs, 82, of South St. died Tues. Feb. 19, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley A. (Farrar) Downs; 2 daughters, Kathy and her husband John Brosnahan and Susan Leuci; 2 grandchildren Ashley Leuci and Timothy Brosnahan all of Douglas. He is also survived by his sister, Virginia Tanca of Hollywood FL; a brother Robert Downs of Needham; and also many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Born in Whitinsville on Sept. 29, 1930 he was son of Harry A. and M Elizabeth (Balcome) Downs and lived in Douglas all his life.
Richard was a lifelong dairy farmer. He received the Worcester County Dairyman of the Year award in 1977 and was named Massachusetts Dairyman of the year in 1978. He was involved in his community as a member of the Douglas Conservation Commission for 30 years, as an animal inspector for 22 years, a transfer station employee for 16 years, as well as a member of the Douglas Planning Board. Richard also was a Worcester County 4H Trustee, a Grange member and former Master of the Douglas Grange, and he was chairman of the Blackstone Valley 4H Fair.
Richard enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching the Red Sox, square dancing, bowling, gardening, and reading western books. He loved his horses and also leaves behind his beloved 4- legged companion "Bear".
His funeral service will be held on Sat. Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. in Jackman Funeral Home, 7 Mechanic St.. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery on West St.Calling hours at the funeral home will be Fri. Feb. 22 from 4-7 p.m. To leave a condolence message please visit
jackmanfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Downs
Michael Coppellotti
February 27, 2013
Dear Kathy and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are truly sorry to not have learned of you Dad's passing until today. Peace to you all as you are faced with a tremendous loss. May beautiful and happy memories soon fill the void that has been left by His passing.
Viola Zenaro
February 25, 2013
Dear Sue, Ashley and family,
I am so sorry for your loss, may all the great memories sustain you at this time. My deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. I'm so sorry I found out too late, I would have gone to the services.
Love Aunt Vi
Marilyn (Campbell) Marchand
February 24, 2013
Shirley, Kathy and Sue –
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Winnie Chan
February 24, 2013
Susan & Ashley I am sorry for the lost of your Father/Grandfather.
Gery Elliott
February 24, 2013
Shirley, Kathy and Sue,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May wonderful memories help to sustain you during this difficult time.
Ed & Lorraine (Forget) Picotte
February 23, 2013
Dick touched many lives with his humor & knowledge. He will be greatly missed by not only his family but all who knew him. Our sincere sympathy on your loss Shirley, Kathy, Sue Ashley and Tim.
February 23, 2013
The Douglas Historical Society Board of Directors would like to extend their deepest sympathies at this time. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
-The Warblow- Caswell family
February 23, 2013
Please accept our deepest condolences. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
February 22, 2013
Shirley, Sue, Kathy and John, Dick was a great guy in many ways. We had alot of good times together.
Our prayers are with all of you at this time. He will be sadly missed.
Monica and Dave McCallum
February 22, 2013
Dear Shirley, Kathy and Sue Dick was a great guy, we will miss him. You are in our prayers. Don, Leona and Megan Miller
Liz Emery
February 22, 2013
Shirley, Kathy and Sue,
My deepest condolences to you and your family on your loss. I'll always remember him with a smile on his face and always a kind word when we talked. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
February 22, 2013
Shirley,Kathy,Suzie and Family our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Jimmy & Paula Hill
Anthony & Janet Leuci
February 22, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Marian & Ray MacDonald
February 22, 2013
Dear Shirley, Kathy and Sue and family,
Our sincere sympathy on the recent loss of Dick....we have many fond memories of the years of Square Dancing fun and weekends away dancing. He was a great man and will be missed by all, especially all his Douglas friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill & Teena Porter
February 22, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Dick will always be remembered by our family, many great memories as a young girl growing up around the farms. My grandparents, Begins, and yours, good fun times.
February 22, 2013
Shirley,Susan,and Kathy-my deepest sympathy for your loss. Dick was a great guy and will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol/Dr. Miller's office
Mary Stone
February 21, 2013
Drear Shirley, Susan and Kathy,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May your wonderful memories sustain you during this difficult time.
Mary Stone
Scott & Karen Yacino
February 21, 2013
Shirley and Family -
Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you go through this difficult time. May your faith and happy memories bring your comfort.
February 21, 2013
Shirley so sorry to hear of Dick's passing,our prayers are with you and your family.
Henry and Marlene Bosma
February 21, 2013
Dear Shirley and family,
Many years Dick and I spent together as farmers. Think of those days often. He will be missed.
February 21, 2013
Shirley and family, I remember all the fun trips to Empire Farm Days with Dick,and all of the coffee times at the Goodness Store. He will be missed by all.
May the Lord give you grace in this time of sorrow.
Len & Kathy Bangma
February 21, 2013
Shirley, our prayers are with during this time. I have a lot of memories of times I spent with him when I was young and also the times we spent together at Grange and square dancing. I wish you the best of luck.
Wagner Family
February 21, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the Downs family. He will be missed greatly.
Don Frabotta
February 21, 2013
Dear Shirley....My condolences to you and the family. His loss of his presence will be felt, but his footprint will remain. He certainly lived a full life.
Tesauro Family
February 21, 2013
When our work on earth is done
We leave our bodies for heavenly fun
Our rewards are more than we can fathom
Greater than we ever imagined
"Your the Man"
Ken & Kelly Garber
February 21, 2013
Kathy and Family~
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Your Dad was a Great man who will be missed by many.
Angela Hamilton
February 21, 2013
Aunt Shirl, Kathy, Sue, Ashley and Tim...Uncle Dick was a wonderful Uncle and godfather. He will be missed. My prayers are with you all. Love and hugs, Angie and Jim
Andrew Miller, MD
February 21, 2013
Shirley and family- I believe you knew how much I enjoyed Dick's humor and wisdom however it was his inner strength and love of family that inspired us all. I will never forget him and send my sympathy to your family.
Amy & Bob Amaral
February 20, 2013
Shirley & Family,
May the many happy memories you share be of comfort to you in the days and weeks ahead. Deepest sympathy to you all.
Ann Surprise
February 20, 2013
Shirley, Sue and Kathy: Dick was a great man and will truly be missed. He was lucky to have you all in his life right up until the end. Wishing you all comfort at this sad time.
Ann/Dr. Miller's office
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