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John Downing Obituary

John F. Downing Jr., 53, of New Canaan, died Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at Stamford Hospital after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 28, 1958 in Buffalo, NY.

John is survived by his wife Karen Kent Downing of New Canaan, his three sons, Jack, William and Nicholas, all of New Canaan, his sister, Connie Millard of Ipswich, MA and his two brothers, Daniel Downing of Orchard Park and Michael Downing of Fultonville, NY. He is the son of John F. & Sarah Doran Downing, Sr. of Buffalo, New York.

He graduated from St. Joseph Collegiate High School in Buffalo. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from NYU, he completed his residency at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York and his sports fellowship at Lenox Hill as a team doctor for the New York Jets. He was a board certified orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Associates of Stamford, Connecticut.

He was recently appointed to the Connecticut State Sports Medicine Council.

 A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan. Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan on (TODAY) Friday, September 30, 2011 from 4-8 PM.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital, 30 Shelburne Road, Stamford CT, 06904.

For online condolences,

www.hoytfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Hour from Sep. 29 to Sep. 30, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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kathy Hart

May 29, 2012

Dr. Downing was the BEST orthopedic I ever knew, bar none! I was so very sad to hear about his passing just today when I called the office of OSSM to make another appointment there. The last time I saw Dr. Downing, was a couple of years ago and as usual, he was chipper and smiling and making me laugh. His medical expertise and ability to diagnose quickly and accurately recommending the right follow up treatment left me as a patient feeling very comfortable that I was in good hands. He talked about his sports and his sons with such pride and he knew how to relate to patients from all walks of life - young, old, male, female, he treated everyone with such care and respect. I was devastated to hear that he was sick and succumbed to cancer. Having lost my own Father to this horrible disease, I can only imagine what your family is coping with now. I send prayers and condolences to the family of such an outstanding physician. I read his obituary and saw that yesterday was his birthday.....I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Kathy Hart - a former patient.

Connie

March 27, 2012

Thinking of you today and everyday.

January 1, 2012

New Year 2012 starts today. You would be so proud of Karen, Jack, Bill and Nick. They are finding their way. Nanny, Poppy, Mike, Dan and I all miss you terribly. Keep sending those signs:)

Linda Lombardo

October 28, 2011

To the Downing family: I am so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Downing was, not only an intelligent, wonderful doctor, but also a kind human being. He always truly cared about his patients. He was so proud of his boys and spoke so highly of the love of his life, Karen. It is a loss to so many that such a wonderful human being was taken so young. Dr. Downing and all of you will always be in my prayers. He will be missed by many.

Ruben and Marlene Parra

October 26, 2011

May God bless you and your family during this difficult time, we will remember you always.

Laurie Sirois

October 17, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Downing Family. Dr. Downing was a remarkable man with such compassion ofr his patients. He operated on my husband (shoulder), my son (knee), my daughter (knee) and received my mom as a patient after emergency surgery when she broke her femur in Las Vegas. As the one "in the waiting room" he was always concise and accurate, yet so humane and considerate of my anxieties. He truly was the doctor and surgeon the rest of the medical community should be measured by...a wonderful man. He will be missed.
Deepest condolences, Laurie & Richard Sirois & family.

Todd Wilkowski

October 7, 2011

Dear Downing Family,
Our sincere sympathy go out to you at the very sad time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Warmly, Todd Wilkowski and the Performance Physical Therapy Team who truly enjoyed working with Dr. Downing.

Chris Urban

October 6, 2011

To the Downing family,

I was extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Downing. He was my doctor back in the early and late 90s when I suffered two major sport related injuries in high school and college. To me, to this day, when it comes to orthopedist,there is Doctor Downing, and then there is everyone else. Over the years, after having multiple surgeries for one thing or another, I always would measure each doc up to Dr. Downing--but none could match the type of person and orthopedist that he was. A few years ago, while visiting family down in CT. and channel flicking, I came across Dr. Downing doing an interview on Channel 12 at Cablevision in Norwalk. It was really great to see how well he was doing at the time. That was the last time I saw him, and the first time since 1998 when he reconstructed knee. My deepest condolences to the Downing family. Dr. Downing will undoubtedly be missed, but definitely not forgotten.

October 5, 2011

"Love does not die, people do.
So when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can."
author unknown

Love you forever, Connie

dora faugno

October 4, 2011

may god bless you and your family during this difficult time

October 4, 2011

To the Downing Family, My sympathy to all your family in the loss of Dr. John Downing. He was one of the pillars of the orthopeidic community. He will be missed. My prayers are with your family.

Amir and Amy Sibboni
and The Hand Rehabilitation Center Family

October 3, 2011

we send you and your family our heartfelt condolences... we loved Dr. Downing! Marianne & Howard Stein

Frank W LiVolsi, Jr,Esq

October 3, 2011

John was a great Doctor and even a better man.

Stephanie Gambino

October 3, 2011

My sincere condolences for your loss. He was a great caring doctor.

Stephanie Gambino

October 3, 2011

My sincere condolences I'm shocked. He was my doctor many years ago when I had knee surgery. He was a great doctor.
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

October 2, 2011

My sincere condolences to the Downing family. He was a kind person and a true professional.

Mike Longo- S.P.D.

Sandra Perrault

October 2, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Nancy Largay

October 2, 2011

I have never met you but Dr. Downing was my MD for a long term shoulder problem. I had no idea he was ill because he did such a great job of healing me, I didn't need to go back! I just saw mention of it in the Norwalk Hour.

The reason I had a special connection with Dr. Downing was because I am also from Buffalo and we used to have great fun during my visits talking about our Buffalo ways (although we were both living in Fairfield county).

We had some great laughs during my visits about where you can get the best chicken wings, soda vs. pop and all those important items. :-) We would compare notes to make sure our teenage sons had some really "Buffalo" experiences in their lives.

I am sure he was a proud dad and that he was a great man with a great soul, and especially a great doctor. I am truly saddened to hear the news and want you to know what a great decent doctor he was!

Nancy Leader Largay

Alyssa Byrd

October 1, 2011

Dr. Downing,
You will be greatly missed. You were a phenomenal man, your presence commanded respect and you returned it to everyone you came in contact with. You touched the lives of many through the legacy you lived. Your kind words and encouragement left people like me feeling as though we were doing something right. No one can will be able to take your place. OSSM will never be the same without you there. I love & miss you.

October 1, 2011

Dear John and Sarah,
Carol Barden McLaughlin e-mailed me a copy of your son's obituary,and the many wonderful tributes to him.Although it's been many years,I wanted to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family for your loss,and let you know you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers. May God's peace and love be with you .
Sincerely,
Cecily Welch Tobin

Brenda Jegier

October 1, 2011

My sincerest condolences to the Downing Family. Dr. Downing was the best doctor I have ever had, not just for his medical skills, but for his compassion and sincerity with his patients. There is no other doctor I have respected more than him. He will be sorely missed by anyone and everyone that knew him.
Sincerely,
Brenda Jegier

Rick+Kerry Wolfe

October 1, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

October 1, 2011

Dr. Downing will be so greatly missed by his patients as well as his family. He was skilled, compassionate, and fun. I, for one, think the world was a better place with him in it, and my deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Sincerely, Jennifer Moe

Barbara Brackett

October 1, 2011

I would like to express my condolences to the Downing family. I knew Dr Downing for a long time. I used to be his answering service for over 15 years before retiring. He was a sweet and sincere man. He was understanding and compassionate to all. He will missed and remembered always. RIP Doc..

October 1, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dr Downing was such a kind and thoughtful man. We have such fond memories from our Taft hockey days when he would be pulled from a game to attend an injured player. We will keep him in our heart.
The Hughes family

Steve Walter

October 1, 2011

My Condolences to John's family.
John was a classmate at St. Joe's. He was always a great guy in his high school days.He was thought of and prayed for at our Sports Night meetings at SJCI.

-Steve Walter '76

Steve Walter

christine cenatiempo

October 1, 2011

To the Downing family, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Downing. He was always sincere, compassionate and understanding with everyone. He will be missed by all.

Connie & Steven Koss

October 1, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

October 1, 2011

Will remember you fondly as a gentleman and a friend...All of your friends from Buffalo and Saint Mark's have you in our prayers.

The O'Brien Family
Tom, Kathleen, Sarah, Erin, Annie,

Elizabeth Zezima

September 30, 2011

I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear today of Dr. Downing's passing. I was privileged to be his patient many years ago, and he performed numerous surgeries on family members. I cannot imagine the void his passing will leave. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, co-workers, patients, and the medical community at large. May the memories of this great man and doctor comfort all who knew him.

Tasha Ligon

September 30, 2011

To the Downing family,

I had the privilege to work for Dr.Dowining. He was a great employer and I will deeply miss him. May the Lord give you all comfort during this difficult time.

Sara Wells

September 30, 2011

To the Downing Family,
I am so very sad about Dr Downing. I loved him like family. I worked for him a long time and OSSM will never be the same without him.

September 30, 2011

To The Downing Family:

I'm so sorry to read of Dr. Downing's passing. My daughter was a patient of his. He was such a nice man and very good with teenagers. My sympathies to you all at this difficult time.

Donna Cartsounis

Mark, Becky, Brian & Jill Roloff

September 30, 2011

Dear Karen and boys, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. God Bless,

Terry Bivona

September 30, 2011

I am so saddened at the loss of Dr. Downing. He was a wonderful doctor and surgeon and a very kind man. My deepest sympathies to you all at this very sad time. Sincerely,

Dominick Santarsiero

September 30, 2011

I am very sorry to hear about Dr. Downing. I wish to express my sincere condolences .He helped me greatly with my right knee surgery. Was also there when ever I needed help of any sort. A deeply great loss. He will be missed.

Osipow Family

September 30, 2011

Dear Karen, Jack, Will, and Nicholas, We are so sad to hear John lost his battle, he will be missed both professinally and personally by All who knew him. Our thought and prayers are for you and your family at this very, very difficult time.

September 30, 2011

My Sincere Condolences to karen and the boys , and the entire Downing Family. i wish i could be with all of you at this time , i work with a heavy heart , i was so glad to see john at the beach. special thoughts and prayers to the family, tommy verdi

Jan Homicki

September 30, 2011

Dr. Downing recently treated my 89 year old mother for a fractured wrist. He was kind, sincere and treated her with humor and dignity. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing and want to express my deepest sympathy to his family.

Chrisitne DeFelice

September 30, 2011

To the Downing family,
We are sorry to here of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a great Doctor, person and employer. He will be greatly missed.

Christine, Nicole and Ericka DeFelice

John Keleher

September 30, 2011

To the Downing family:
Please let me express my sincere condolences and that of the Darien High School athletic department. THE DOCTOR has been such a great supporter of our programs and our athletes, his prescence will be sorely missed

Joe Baranowski

September 30, 2011

To the Downing family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Dr. Downing was a wonderful doctor and person. I will miss him.

September 30, 2011

We just heard the news here in Buffalo reagrding John, and as classmate of his at St. Joe's we are all extremely upset to hear this news.
John was always one of the most friendly classmates you could have. Always smiling and easy to talk to. A positive person who never said a bad thing about anyone.
From everyone in Buffalo, and all his classmates at St. Joe's, we offer our condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with John, his wife Karen, and his 3 boys.

Rick Arena
St. Joe's Class of '76
East Aurora, NY

Donna Ferris

September 30, 2011

To the entire Downing family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. D for almost 20 years. He was a wonderful doctor and employer, and I will always remember him with fondness. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

Robert Latosh

September 30, 2011

To the Downing Family;
I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Downing's passing. He was a good, kind and compassionate doctor. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy.

sharon Bellofiore

September 30, 2011

To the Downing Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I will always remember Dr Downing as a truly gifted surgeon, wonderful employer and genuine person who will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. With deepest sympathy.
Sharon Bellofiore

The Fabricatore Family

September 30, 2011

To the Downing family,
May your memories give you strength. Dr. Downing was truly an honest and kind soul. He always made my kids feel comfortable and had a special way with his patients. God Bless

kim

September 29, 2011

To the Downing Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I will always remember him as a wonderful Doctor and Friend. God Bless.

Michael Millard

September 29, 2011

To the entire Downing family from the Michael Millards, our prayers are with you...you are in our thoughts and have been since this terrible ordeal began. We have lost a true gentleman and a fine, fine 'old school' physician who, as a human being , in life and in death, was an example and inspiration to all who knew him. Let his example live on...while we will never stop missing him, let his example as human being, a healer, a husband and father, a gentleman inspire us all to be better people. John, thanks for your inspiration....and thank you for reminding us, that in life, we don't get a 'Mulligan'.

Deb Valentine

September 29, 2011

Words can't express the sadness I feel for John's family, and the people whos lives have been touched by John's perserverance. Special thoughts and prayers for the OSSM family.

September 29, 2011

We are so very sad to hear of John's passing. He was a wonderful Man to his Family, his friends and his patients. Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen, the boys and thier family.
Patty & John Santagata (Stamford,CT)

Jeff Kress

September 29, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing...my thoughts and prayers are with his family and sincere condolences in this time of loss.

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