James Patrick Downey Jr.

James was born June 24, 1933 in Norwich, the son of the late James P. Downey Sr. and Gertrude (Blanchette) Downey.

He married Natalie Phillips on June 11, 1960 at St. Mary’s Church in Norwich. They had celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in 2012.

He worked with his father in the family business as a plumber - he took over the business after the passing of his father. He retired from the Plumbers Local 777 in 1996.

He was a communicant of St. Patrick Cathedral. He loved cars, motorcycles and boats and was meticulous with his yard work. Jim was a die-hard American who supported the American worker and would only buy products made in the USA.

In addition to his loving wife Natalie of 52 years, he is survived by his children Audrey Leone and her husband Luke of Lisbon, Amy Palmer of Norwich and special friend James Adams, brother Donald Downey, grandchildren Jessica and Joshua Leone, Christopher, Kevin, and Nicole Palmer, and several nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich at 1 pm. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

To leave a message of condolence for James Downey Jr.’s family, please visit his memorial at www.churchandallen.com

Memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich CT 06360 or to the Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St. Norwich CT 06360.

The Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St. Norwich, is entrusted with arrangements.