George E. Downs of Flanders died at his home on December 18 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 74.
Born to Viola (née Hand) and Frank Downs of Hampton Bays, he was a landscaper and owned George’s Lawn Service, which served the Flanders, Hampton Bays and East Quogue areas.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1953 to 1961, and was an avid fisherman and duck hunter.
Mr. Downs is survived by his wife, Barbara J. Braun; four daughters, Debbie Anderson and her fiancé Michael Mujsce of East Quogue, Peggy Allen and her companion Jobie of Georgia, Laura Provan and her husband Chris of Florida, and Wanda Downs of Georgia; and two sons, Duane Downs of Florida and Michael Downs of Virginia.
He is also survived by four sisters, Ruth Normoyle, Edna Morrison, Regina Pawlowski, and Avis Walker and her husband John; two brothers, John Downs and his wife Jackie, and Thomas Downs and his wife Rita; a brother-in-law, Thomas Wilson; 11 grandchildren, Eric Downs, Michael Mujsce Jr., Cynthia Thompson, Jade and Jessica Allen, Elizabeth and Amanda Lee Anderson, Kendall and Brittany Downs, Angel Lillian Downs and Emma Elizabeth Downs; three great-grandchildren, Michael III and Mikayla Mujsce, and Breanna Thompson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by three sisters, Althea “Chickie” Wilson, Frances Tyte and Betty Miller; and six brothers, Lou, Ned, Gene, Harold, Bob and William Downs.
A wake was held at the J. Ronald Scott Funeral Home in Hampton Bays on December 20 and 21. A funeral service officiated by pastor George Mangan of the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church was held at the funeral home on December 22; interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or the Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, 641 Flanders Road, Flanders, NY 11901 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jan 21, 2009