The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Thomas J. Downey Sr.

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Hoosick Falls – Thomas J. “Jim” Downey Sr., 80, passed peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He resided on River Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, with his wife Mary Rita (Finnen) Downey, whom he married on April 21, 1951, at St. Patrick’s Church in Troy, NY.
Born on July 30, 1928, in Delmar, NY, he was the son of Harry M. and Frances (Deegan) Downey. He graduated from Cathedral Academy in Albany Class of 1947 and served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean Conflict. Jim retired from Central Vermont Public Service Corp. in Bennington, VT, in 1991 where he was active in I.B.E.W., local 300.
Active in his community, he was first Cub Master of Troop # 64, former member of the Hoosick Rescue Squad, member of the Derby Club and Elks Club, former Commander of the American Legion Post # 40, Life Member of the V.F.W. and Life Member of the Hoosick Falls Fire Department. Jim was a current Fire Commissioner of the Hoosick Falls Joint Fire District, Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church. He was a committeeman and former Chairman of the Town of Hoosick Democratic Committee.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Rita , his children, Thomas J. Downey Jr. of San Diego, CA, Kristin Downey of Saratoga Springs, NY, Stephen Downey of Saratoga Springs, Patricia and her husband Bill Peters of Hoosick Falls, Susan Downey Graudons of Freehold, NY, David Downey of Scituate, MA, Matthew Downey and his wife Debra of Delmar, NY, and Carol and husband Robert Ryan of Hoosick Falls as well as fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by an infant son, Keith, a daughter, Mary, a granddaughter, Hillary, a great-grandson, Romello, and four sisters, Nellie Foley, Catherine Gallagher, Leota Foley and Frances Cooke, and a brother, Harry M. Downey.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 30, at 9:15 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Rensselaer County Community Hospice or St. Mary’s Academy through the funeral home.