Charles E. Downs, Jr., a retired and well loved Holyoke High School history teacher whose career spanned 34 years, died at Mercy Medical Center on Saturday, May 9, 2015 after a long and courageous fight with cancer. He was 78.
Charles was born and raised in Oak Bluffs, son of the late Charles E. and Margaret (Hickey) Downs and played football and basketball at Oak Bluffs High School. Upon graduation, he entered the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and graduated in 1958. Following in his footsteps, each of his four brothers attended Holy Cross and at one time a Downs brother occupied the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior class.
After graduation Charles entered the United States Air Force and served for two years in Texas and Oklahoma. Following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a career in education.
Charles had a great passion for skiing, and enjoyed watching the Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics. He had a fondness for listening to Jazz music. He was a devoted communicant of Saint Patrick’s Parish.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Gaynell; three loving sons: Curt of South Hadley and Brian and Bart of Walpole; two brothers: Timothy of Falmouth and Michael and his wife Martha of VA; a sister Mary Butler and her husband Eric of Mansfield; and many nieces and nephews. Charles deepest passion was spending time with his family and friends. He had no grandchildren, but all of his friends shared their grandchildren with him, which brought him great joy.
Besides his parents, Charles was predeceased by two brothers, John and Jerome. A funeral will be held Thursday, 8 am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, followed by a Mass in Saint Patrick’s Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley at 9:15 am. Burial will follow at 11 am at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sister Caritas Cancer Center, 271 Carew Street, Springfield MA 01104 or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, CLL Center, 44 Binney Street, Boston MA 02115.