William J. Downey

Born on July 23, 1927 in Roslindale, MA, he was the son of the late James and Martha Isabel (Yeadon) Downey. His family lived in Jamaica Plain and later moved to Hopkinton, MA.

On October 19, 1945, he joined the U.S. Navy and was Honorably Discharged the following year. In 1952, he graduated from Northeastern University. While in school, he was active in student government.

After graduation, William went to work in sales for U.S. Steel and then went on to work for Liberty Mutual during which he joined the US Army Reserves attaining the rank of Captain. In the early 1960’s, he established his first agency; Mark Insurance in Milton, MA. After selling Mark Insurance, his family moved to Stoughton, MA, where he purchased ownership of John J. Rogers Insurance. By 1966, he had been elected a Selectman for Stoughton, MA and was a member of the Massachusetts Association of Selectmen. In 1969, he purchased the Corsair Motel, where he spent summers with his family. He later moved to Osterville in 1971 and founded the Osterville Rotary Club which he became president and was made a Paul Harris Fellow. Later he became District Governor of Rotary International in 1980. He owned Callaghan Insurance Agency and later merged it with Bryden and Sullivan Insurance in Hyannis. After leaving Bryden & Sullivan, he purchased Duart and Downey Insurance in Truro and Hart Insurance in Bourne in 1989. He later became one of few Licensed Insurance Advisors in Massachusetts and president of Independant Mutual Insurance Agents of New England.

William was a member and past president of the Cape Cod Northeastern University Alumni Association and a member of the Huntington Society. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a past president and longtime member of the Osterville Men’s Club. In 2011, he received a certificate of appreciation for 44 years of perfect attendance from Rotary International. Bill’s hobby and second love was boating. As a Captain, he was part owner of a luxury yacht manufacturing company. During the 1980’s, he and his wife established a residence in Florida and over the years settled in Boca Raton, FL.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary A. (Ducey) Downey.

He is survived by his two sons, Mark Downey and his spouse, Ian Ryan of Dennisport, Steven Downey and his wife, Maureen of Bourne; his six grandchildren, Justin Downey, Madisyn Downey, Jessica Smart, Aidan and Ethan Ryan, Matthew Tavano; as well has his sister, Geraldine Lurvey and her husband, Al of NH.

Friends may call from 4-8 pm on Monday, June 2, 2014 at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main Street in Hyannis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue in Osterville. Burial will follow in Beechwood Cemetery in Centerville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601 www.hopehealthco.org .