Kenneth Joseph Downer

Kenneth Joseph Downer, 83, a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully at Stamford Hospital on Friday, September 23, 2016 with his family by his side. Ken was born October 12, 1932 in White Plains, NY and was one of five children born to the late Sherman and Katherine (Cuddy) Downer. The two most important things to Ken were faith and family. He grew up in Mamaroneck, New York and began working at a very young age with his father at Playland, a second home to him for 60 years. Ken proudly served his country in Germany from 1954 to 1956 as a member of the United States Army. He later joined the Greenwich Police force making many lifelong friends among colleagues and the community. While at Playland, Ken managed the pool, the ice rink and the park over the years – known as Uncle Kenny not only to his family but to many others who worked there. Ken spent many hours enjoying sports, whether it was his beloved Mets, UCONN basketball, or Notre Dame football he could always be found cheering them on with whoever wanted to join him. A bowler for many years, Ken played in leagues with his son, Kenny, in the Men and Boys League and later in the Visitations League. Ken is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Patricia, nee Delaney, his three beloved children; Karen Downer-Doyle (Patrick), Kathleen Solecki (Michael) and Kenneth Downer, Jr. (Victoria), five grandchildren; Ryan, Sean, Kenny, Kyle and Thomas, sister, Virginia, sister-in-laws, Kathleen Delaney and Norma Downer, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his siblings; Mary Jane Recher, Sherman Downer and Nancy Collins. The family will be receiving friends and family on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 from 5pm to 8pm at Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 10am at St, Leo Parish, 24 Roxbury Road in Stamford. The interment will be private and at a later date. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Stamford Hospital for all they did for Ken and his family during this challenging time. Their compassion and warmth was overwhelming. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd. Ste 202, Stamford, CT 06902 (www.stamfordhospitalfoundation.org) or Autism Speaks (Team Ramblin’ for Robert), 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 (www.autismspeaks.org). The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford. If you care to leave an online condolence message please visit the family guestbook on www.bosakfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Kenneth Joseph Downer

October 12, 1932 - September 23, 2016