Obituary of Robert E. Downs

Robert (Bob) E. Downs, Sr., age 72, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of Irene Desrochers Downs for 49 years, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004 in St. Vincent Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born to the late Earl and Mary Gula Downs in Bridgeport on September 25, 1931, where he lived for most of his life. He was a loving father of nine children and twelve grandchildren. Bob was a United States Army veteran serving during the Korean War and retired from SNET after 43 years. He was a long standing member of the Bridgeport Mens Garden Club and helped to beautify Bridgeport with his many plantings of flowers and dogwood trees. Bob was an avid gardener who loved to make wine and grape jelly from vines that he grew in his back yard. He was always helping others with their home improvements and their gardening projects. He was a selfless man who always put the needs of family, friends and neighbors ahead of his own.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three devoted daughters and their spouses, Maureen and Larry Slater, Cathy and Dominic DiCocco and Michele and Barry Mustaka, six sons and their spouses, Robert Jr. and Jane Downs, Joseph and Shelly Downs, Thomas Downs, James Downs, Steven and Christine Downs and Matthew and Mary Jo Downs, two sisters and their spouses, Barbara and Harry Peters and Monica and Leo Maia.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Andrew Church, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Friday from 4-8 p.m. 

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450.