Mr. Joseph L. Downey, affectionately known as "Roy” to his family and friends, past away April 19th in his home with his family by his side, following a year long battle with cancer, he was 81 years old. He was the beloved husband of Janet M. (Humphrey) and together they shared more than 57 years of marriage. Born in Woburn he was the son of the late John and Ellen (Foley) Downey.
Roy was raised and educated in Woburn and graduated from Woburn High School with the class of 1947. Following high school, Roy honorably served in the United States Navy during the Korean War from September 1947 to September of 1951. Roy was an electrician by trade and worked for 19 years with the Sylvania Co. in Woburn and later was employed with the Polaroid Corp. in Waltham where he retired from in 1988 after 19 more years of employment.
Roy and his wife settled in Burlington where they raised their family and lived for many years. They also lived in Naples, FL for 7 years and made many new friends and had many wonderful times. Roy and Janet moved back to Woburn 13 years ago to be closer to their family, especially their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Roy loved the outdoors, whether working around his home and in his yard, occasionally golfing, swimming, taking walks around Horn Pond or going to Dunkin Donuts for his coffee. Most of all he cherished spending time with his loving family.
Roy was one of ten children and is predeceased by his sisters, Mildred Dunnigan, Lyola Downey, Dorothy Daly, Eleanor Connolly, and brothers, John, William, James and Leonard Downey. In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his daughters, Linda Doucet and her husband James, and Ellen Quinton all of Woburn. He was the loving grandfather of Michael, Melanie, Melissa, Jennifer and Neil. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Joselyn, Logan, Elizabeth, Mackenzie, Madison, Maya, Bailey, and Morgan. He is further survived by his sister, Elizabeth Busa of Marlboro.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. Woburn, Friday, April 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday from 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Roy's memory to the MSPCA-Angell Headquarters, 350 South Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02130.