Gilbert M. Downs

Downs, Gilbert M. COHOES Gilbert M. Downs, 79, died January 7, 2019, after a brief illness at Albany Medical Center Hospital. He was born on November 21, 1940, in Cohoes, the son of Gilbert and Anna Downs. Gilbert attended Cohoes High prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in October 1960. Gil was assigned to the U.S. Army base in Fort Lee, Va. where he received citations as an expert marksman firing high in his division with the M14 Rifle. He was a member of the elite Fort Lee Baseball Team. Gil was a first round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 1960 and played in the Yankees organization through 1967 when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Dick Howser. Gil was close friends with several Yankees referred to as the "Dynasty" including Joe DiMaggio, Micky Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford. Gil frequently recounted stories he shared with Fritz Peterson, Joe Pepitone, Clete Boyer, Elston Howard, Al Downing, Jim Bouton, Hector Lopez and countless others. While in Cleveland, Gil's closet friends included Sam McDowell and Rocky Colavito. Gil's roommate with the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast league was Lou Piniella; and Stan Bahnsen was his closest friend while playing for the Toledo Mud Hens in the AAA International League. Following his baseball career, Gil worked for Dzembo's Dairy for several years and later General Business Supply and Huersch Inc in various positions. Gil was self-employed as a courier at the time of his passing. Gil was predeceased by his parents, Gilbert and Anna Downs; sisters, Dorothy Murphy (Jack) and Marilyn Smith (Tom). He is survived by his sister Judy Steele (Ernie) and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Gil is survived by Mary Jane Kelleher with whom he shared a long loving relationship. His inseparable friend in life was Jim Lacy (deceased). Gil had many gifts in life including his athletic ability, wit, sense of humor, and larger than life personality. None however were greater than his kindness towards those he loved and cared for. Gil was as comfortable with Kings as he was paupers and treated each equally. A service of remembrance will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Church, 122 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. A Mass will follow at 12 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Cohoes. To those who wish to remember Gil in a special way, please direct donations in lieu of flowers to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY, 12204. Arrangements by Stanton Farrell Funerial Home.