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Richard Lee Downey (Dick) passed away May 24th, 2020 in Chandler Arizona of natural causes. Richard was born on August 30th, 1933 in Schenectady, New York. Raised in Scotia, New York, near Albany, Richard was the son of an engineer (Reginald) and a teacher (Mary Veronica). After high school, Richard entered the US Army, serving a full term at Fort Bliss in Texas. Subsequently, Richard graduated from Syracuse University with a Mechanical Engineering Degree, which prepared him well for a fruitful career at General Electric. Followed by Garrett AiResearch (now Honeywell Aerospace). Those who knew Richard knew that his most important passion (beyond his family) was New Orleans style Jazz music. Richard spent hours as a teen tuned into his shortwave radio listening to his music. He could not get enough! This passion took him and some family members on jazz cruises, camps, and festivals. Upon retirement in 1993, Richard took up the clarinet, his favorite of the "Dixieland" instruments. Undoubtedly the high point of his musical passion was the opportunity to actually sit in with a Dixieland jazz band, with his son next to him playing the trumpet, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans! Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha. Richard was survived by his Daughter Sharon Krolak (Mike); Grandchildren, Stephanie (James) Cook, Krista (Seth) Wollach, and Alex Krolak; Great Grandchildren (Stephanie), Tyler, Nathan, Emily, and Jackson Cook; Great Grandchildren (Krista), Asher Wollach; Son, Michael Downey (Cheryl); Grandchildren, Leah (Jayson) Brugman, and Aaron Downey; Great Grandchildren, Corbin Brugman, Lorraine Brugman, and Griffin Brugman. Richard is also survived by his former wife, Carolyn Castleman. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to support either of Richard’s favorite organizations: Arizona Classic Jazz Society, 10918 E. Michigan Ave., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 http://www.azclassicjazz.org/ Project Mexico St. Innocent Orphanage: https://www.projectmexico.org/donate Graveside Services have been scheduled at the Citizen's Cemetery in Flagstaff, Arizona. The process will be as follows: Plan to arrive a little early. Directions to the grave site will be provided at the cemetery entrance. Proceed to the area and REMAIN IN YOUR CAR. At 1:00 the cemetery staff will conduct the interment. This will take 10-15 minutes. AFTER the cemetery staff complete the interment of Martha and Richard's ashes and depart the grave site, we can leave our cars and approach the site. PLEASE - attendees are requested to wear appropriate masks and practice social distancing. This is for your protection and for the peace of mind of all attendees, many of whom will be elderly friends of Richard and Martha from Flagstaff. Once we have safely gathered, Fr. Nicholas will lead us in a brief memorial service. This should take 10-15 minutes. There will be an opportunity for a few friends and family members to offer brief memories. Finally, Taps will be sounded to recognize Richard's service in the US Army. Weather next Thursday is forecast to be in the mid 80's and partly cloudy. Dress appropriately. Again, if you are unable to attend or just uncomfortable at this time, know that we do plan to have a celebration of life later in the year in Phoenix, when it is appropriate to do so. THANK YOU!

Tributes

Richard Lee Downey

August 30, 1933 - May 24, 2020

Obituary & Service

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Tributes

Richard Lee Downey

August 30, 1933 - May 24, 2020

Obituary & Service

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