George H. Downing Jr.

Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, a son of the late George H. Downing Sr. and Bertha (MacKenzie) Downing, he lived in Beverly for many years before moving to Somerset in 1963 and settling in Swansea in 1964.

A graduate of Beverly High School, class of 1950, he also graduated from the Lowell Institute School at MIT in Cambridge MA. A veteran of the United States Navy he served during the Korean War as a Machinist Mate Second Class. He served on the USS Van Valkenburgh and was the founder of the USS Van Valkenburgh Korean War Era Reunion Association. He traveled through the Pacific and Korea and spent time in Guantanamo Bay. He was a member of the Tin Can Sailors.

Mr. Downing worked in the power industry for 44 years before retiring in 1999. Artistically talented, he enjoyed painting, drawing, writing, and reading.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Gail Gagnon of East Hartford, CT, Tegwen Helgason and her husband Jon of Peabody, MA, two step-daughters: Karen Santos of Swansea, Vivian Arruda of Fall River, one sister: Grace Joly and her husband Richard of Beverly, MA, and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was father of the late Gregory D. Downing and brother of the late Janice Earnshaw.

His Funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 11:00AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Birchcrest, 189 Gardner’s Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours prior to his service from 9:00 to 11:00AM. Contributions in his honor may be made to the American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Rd. Ste. 301, Framingham, MA 01701. Burial in Mount Hope Cemetery, Swansea.