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Charles Downs Obituary
He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1969-1973, he deployed multiple times to Vietnam during this time. Upon completion of his military service he worked for Corning Glass Works in Central Falls, RI. He then moved on to work for the Pawtucket School Department as a Custodial Engineer until his retirement in 2011.
He was the beloved father of Sarah and husband Steven Rudis of Warwick, Charles IV of Lincoln, and Meghan and fiance Justin Bouthillette of Woonsocket. He was the brother of Glenna, Christopher, Thomas, John, Mathew, Andrew, Stephen, and the late Peter Downs.
Calling hours will be Sunday, January 24th from 12-3 PM at Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higginson Ave., Lincoln. Burial with Military Honors will be Monday, January 25th at 11:30 AM in R.I. Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations to National Park Foundation (Attn: Gift Processing) 1110 Vermont Ave NW, Ste 200 Washington, DC 20005 will be appreciated. For online condolences visit www.thekeefefuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Downs
Sponsored by Keefe Funeral Home Inc.
5 Entries
January 30, 2016
My sincere regrets on Chucks passing last week, I learned late of his loss and was unable to attend Sunday's service. I'd like to convey my respects to you his wife and his children. Chuck and I were pals in High School and spent tons of hours drawing and painting in the schools Art Room and afternoon Art Club program. The quality of his work never failed to amaze. Unfortunately, the war intervened sending us and all our friends overseas. In an instant every ones lives had changed.
In November of 1970 as I finished my tour of duty and was flying home from Viet Nam, I landed by chance at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. I locked my sea bag to an iron rail and made some inquiries of the base MPs.
Within a half hour I was able to locate Chuck on that immense base, we spent several hours on that already hot afternoon sitting in his tent, laughing, listening to tapes and remembering friends back home. He was skinny, tanned, and all smiles, he always will be.
Again my heart felt regrets,
With respect,
Vernon Dunlap
Debbie Daniels
January 27, 2016
So sorry for your loss, I remember many conversions Chucky & I had standing at your fence on Rufus St. He was a nice guy .
Patricia Shannahan
January 24, 2016
RIP charlie ❤
Samantha Vasiliadis (Zullo)
January 22, 2016
I will never forget how you so warmly welcomed me into your family. I enjoyed our lazy Sundays on the couch watching Sci-Fi movies and listening to your worldy advice on just about everything. I'm pretty sure your favorite thing in the world was being a dad and that's just what you were to everyone.
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Patricia Shannahan
January 22, 2016
My condolences to Beth and children .heartbreaking to hear....my prays are with your family Beth.from shannahan's (Pauls family).may god keep you all strong❤
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