Raymond F. Downing

Raymond F. Downing, 73, of Stamford, husband of Mildred (Richter) Downing of Stamford, died December 22 at Stamford Hospital after a long illness.

He was the father of Maryann D. Rekofsky of Sandy Hook.

Born on April 13, 1927, in Stamford, he was the son of the late Charles H. and Loretta (Troy) Downing. A lifelong resident of Stamford, he was a communicant of St John Roman Catholic Church. Prior to his retirement in 1978, he was a milkman for Borden’s Dairy for 26 years. A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Navy and was the youngest of four brothers to serve.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by a son, Charles T. Downing of Yorktown, N.Y.; two other daughters, Jacquelyn Gormly of Chittenden, Vt., and Barbara Ficano of Jupiter, Fla.; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Lawrence Downing of Longmeadow, Mass., and Robert Downing of Milford; and a sister, Loretta Peavey of San Antonio, Tex. He was predeceased by two brothers, Collins and Charles Donald Downing.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 27 in St John Roman Catholic Church, 279 Atlantic Street, Stamford, followed by burial in St John Cemetery, Darien.

The Bouton & Reynolds Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, was in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be made in his memory to St John Church Restoration Fund, 279 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901.

The Newtown Bee      December 29, 2000