Patrick Downes
10/19/2016
Patrick Downes passed away on October 19, 2016 at his home in Warwick, NY following a brief illness. The son of the late Patrick and Katherine (Haugh) Downes, he was born in Lisroe, Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland, on May 1, 1936.
After a 30 year career, Patrick retired as the Director of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. He was a member of both the Warwick Knights of Columbus and Sheridan Council in Brooklyn. He was an activist in community affairs in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn where he served three terms as President of the Bay Ridge Irish American Association. He was a supporter of Jesuit causes at Xavier High School and Fordham University.
Patrick was his own best handyman and there were few tasks that he would willingly relegate to others. He was a world traveler and had an anecdote to share about every trip he made. His repertoire included diving with sharks, riding an elephant, swimming in the Adriatic, a private tour of St. Peter's in Rome and fishing for salmon in Alaska.
His favorite topic however was horses and he passed this love to his children and granddaughter. In recent years he attended every major horse show in the United States. He could regale an audience for hours with his exploits with horses here and in Ireland. He truly fancied himself a "gentleman farmer" and took endless pride in his garden and horticultural skills. No one in the family should forget his legendary love of the holidays and entertaining.
A special thank you to our "adopted children" Bonnie and Hugh Smith for their constant tender loving care and heartfelt devotion. A massive thank you to our niece Margaret Mary Canjura N.P. for her dedication to getting us the best possible medical care. We shall never forget MM and Jessica Cerulli rushing to our rescue on Monday night.
Patrick's is survived by his wife of 53 years Mary Ellen (Joyce), his daughter Tara Higgins and her husband Robert, his daughter Mary Kate Downes and her husband Wayne Suiter and his 3 precious grandchildren Robby, Lilly and J.P. Higgins. Devoted father of the late James (2003) and Erin (2008). He is survived by his sister Theresa (John Walsh) in England and his brother-in-law Patrick Conway in Ireland. He was predeceased by his sister Breeda (Michael Gavin), sister Maura Conway and brother J.J. (Mary Downes). In the U.S. he leaves his sister-in-law Kathleen (Hugh Coyle) and sister-in-law Regina Joyce (late Edward "Rusty" Joyce).
Visitation will be on Thursday and Friday, October 20th & 21st from 2:00-4:00 pm & 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday at St. Stephen RC Church, followed by interment in Warwick,
Calendar of Care
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