ROBERT O’NEILL DOWNING

July 17, 1926 - Aug. 15, 2009

Robert Downing of Green Valley passed away peacefully at home from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Robert was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Harry L. and Gertrude (Uber) Downing. He graduated from Toms River, N.J. High School, attended Montclair State College in Montclair, N.J. and graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a signalman first class aboard the destroyer USS Lowry, seeing action in the Pacific theater and was in Tokyo Bay when the surrender with Japan was signed.

Before moving to Green Valley in 1987, he and his family resided in Neptune and Wall Township, N.J. He worked for many years in New York City, Newark, N.J. and Philadelphia as claims manager for several insurance companies.

Upon retiring, he operated an art appraisal and restoration business in Wall Township. After settling in Green Valley, Robert volunteered for 10 years at the Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins as a tour guide, a job he greatly enjoyed.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Harry Jr., Nelson and Richard; and infant son Robert John.

Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Florence; sons Jeffrey Downing (Vicki) of Glassboro, N.J. and James Downing (Isabel) of Madrid, Spain; daughter Karen Downing (Hugh Pilkington) of Suffolk, UK; and four grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the AZ Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc., 2033 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85719 or to your favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Adair Dodge Chapel 1-520-326-4343.