DOWNING, John J. Of Needham, August 17, 2018. Beloved husband of over 60 years to the late Kathleen O'Neil Downing, and father to John Downing, M.D. and his wife Mary of Janesville, WI, Mary and her husband William O' Shea of Springfield, VA, Michael Downing and his wife Robin of Medway, Kathy and her husband Donald Keller of Atherton, CA, Stephen Downing of Needham, and Margaret and her husband Jeffrey Kraemer of Wellesley. Cherished grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Brother of the late Sister Margaret Downing, CSJ, Sister Elizabeth Downing, CSJ, and Eleanor Downing of Arlington. Son of the late Michael and Winifred Downing of Arlington.
John was a graduate of Boston College, Class of 1949, and pursued graduate studies at Harvard University, Boston College, and Trinity College. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and was employed at Metropolitan Life Insurance, New York City and the Torrington Manufacturing Company, Torrington, CT. John worked as an executive in the Marketing and Planning Divisions of the Raytheon Corporation for 34 years. He was an avid and passionate golfer for over 78 years, scoring 3 holes in 1. John was a co-founder of the Defense Marketing Chapter of the American Marketing Association (Boston), Chairman for several years of the marketing services sector of the Electronics Industry Association of Washington, DC. John was an active member of St. Joseph's Parish, Needham and the Massachusetts Citizens for Life.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 9:30-10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Needham, at 11am. Relatives and friends Kindly invited. Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115.