John Downey

JOHN T. DOWNEY

John T. Downey, 78, of Oxford, CT passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with lung cancer. John was born the third of five children to Patrick and Delia (Glennon) Downey in the Bronx NY, and lived in Yonkers, NY for 40 years before moving to Oxford. He attended St. Luke’s School and Cardinal Haynes High School in the Bronx and graduated from St. John’s University.

John joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation and worked as a Special Agent, first in Lexington, KY, then Birmingham, Alabama and finally relocated home to New York. During his dedicated career with the FBI, John worked on several newsworthy cases, among them the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama and the 1975 kidnapping of Samuel Bronfman II, son of billionaire Edgar Bronfman. John retired from the Bureau after 30 years and enjoyed a second career applying his investigative skills providing Corporate Security for Kraft General Foods in Westchester, NY.

John was the loving husband of 54 years to Joan (Kelly) Downey. All who knew John would agree that he considered his marriage and four daughters among his greatest accomplishments.

John was the devoted father of Kathryn Downey (John Bellew), Mary (Michael) Ledwidge, Eileen (Timothy) Barton, and Jean (Daniel) Alexander. John was the proud and cherished grandfather of eleven: Keelan, Cara and Brynna Ledwidge; Aidan, Siobhan, Shane and Carina Barton; and Emma, Hannah, Katie and Ryan Alexander.

In addition to Joan, his children, and grandchildren, John is survived by his sister Mary (Edward) O’Sullivan. His beloved parents and brothers Patrick, Michael and James, with whom he is now reunited, preceded him in death. John also leaves behind many sisters- and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

John was a wonderful man who devoted his time to faith, family and service. He was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford and loved gathering to visit with family and friends. Above all, John loved his God, his family and his country. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive visitors at the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home in Southbury, CT on Tuesday, December 26 from 3-5 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, December 27 at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oxford, CT, followed by internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. 

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