Contributions to the tribute of Daniel Downes

B

Sunday, February 22, 2015

My father, Daniel Downes, did not have a very happy childhood. He lost his dad when he was only 6 months old. His mom remarried but his stepfather didn't care for children. My pop was sent to live with relatives and then finally to help work on his bachelor uncle's farm. They treated him ok, but had little knowledge of caring for children. Pop went without many of the things children in a "normal" family setting would have had. Though a sad start, it most likely helped make him the loving husband and wonderful father we knew. As a young adult, my pop met my mom on a blind date. They wrote to each other while he was overseas during WWII and married soon after his return when the war was over. Pop served from Feb. 1943 to Dec. 1945. He was an radio operator with the 222 field artillery in the Pacific. His job required to go ahead of the troupes and relay the enemies coordinates back to the artillery. He was awarded the purple heart. Pop always had a strong work ethic. He always worked hard as far back as I can remember. As a kid, I remember looking out the window before dinner to see if pop was home. More nights than not we had dinner alone with mom. Mom would keep his dinner warm for when he finally came home. He was a service repairman for Sears. Rather than being in the middle of a job and to tell the customer he would have to return the next day to finish, he would stay and complete it no matter how long it took. Afterwards he had all the paperwork to complete so it could be turned in the next morning. Many nights he sat in his truck to do this more likely because of us kids being too noisy! We always enjoyed the weekends when pop could be home. Their were times, as with most kids, where they misbehave. With the three of us, at that time, would sometimes push mom to the limit. We knew when pop got home we were surely going to "get it". Mom would send us to our rooms to wait for pop to come home. Then the bedroom door would open and there he was. Most times he just stood there never saying a word, but by just looking at us we would feel sorry for having misbehaved and to have him come home to this. Then he would take off his belt, fold it together and snap it! The sound would make us cry and we would tell him how sorry we were and that we wouldn't do it again. He would then say, "think about what you did for awhile" and "I hope you learned your lesson". He would walk out of the room and closed the door. I'm sure, thinking back now, he must have had a big grin on his face knowing he had punished us without laying a hand on us. Our pop was big into exercise, and as children, had all of us doing sit ups, pushups, toe touching and many others. It was something we did together even before exercise was popular. Pop loved to read. He had a thirst for knowledge in any subject. He was the only person I knew that actually read all the volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica from cover to cover. My pop was born and raised a catholic and believe strongly in all it's teachings. He wanted us to have that faith as well. We went as a family every Sunday to mass. They continued this tradition until physically unable to. Mom and pop always enjoyed music and dancing. They would go out many Saturday nights for dinner and dancing. Pop even taught himself how to play the harmonica, which we all enjoyed listening to. He also enjoyed working outdoors puttering in the garden or yard. He had planted several fruit and nut trees which have been enjoyed over the years. Our pop was a peaceful, good, kind, honest decent man. At times though, the little boy in him came out, when he would tease one of us kids. Then he would give us a smile and there was that twinkle in his in his blue eyes that always gave him away. What I will always treasure is the love my parents had for each other. Everyone should be so blessed to be able to have enjoyed 68 wonderful years together with your true soul mate. What a ride!

N

Nancy Stavalone lit a candle

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Mr. DANIEL DOWNES, (my IRISH LAD ) thank you for allowing me into your home and into your heart. You MR. DOWNES had me at the very first smile, you will be greatly missed and i love you. Rest in peace. I will keep my promise, HUGS AND KISSES SENT TO HEAVEN YOU WONDERFUL MAN. GOD BLESS YOU,AND YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY

C

Cindy Hamm posted a condolence

Sunday, January 25, 2015

I'm very sorry for your loss John. I know how important he was to you. Prayers to you and your family.

H

Harold&June Harrington posted a condolence

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

B

Bonnie Harrington Manley posted a condolence

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Soo sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the good memories help you through this sad time.

In loving memory of

Daniel

1922 - 2015