David Downes

David Downes (a.k.a. Downzy, Double D, Daywood, Dad, and Puppa) 76 of Palm Coast, FL died on October 4th 2020 after a long, hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Life began in Hudson, MA where he was raised by a hard-working mother from whom he gained a strong work ethic. He attended Brewster Academy in Wolfboro, NH, then William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA where he would meet his future wife who ironically was from a town in MA not far from Hudson. They would soon marry, start a family and settle in Gilford, NH.

David was an animal health pharmaceutical sales manager for Pfizer (Smith-Kline Beecham) for 27 years and travelled extensively across northern New England. He knew every backroad, hotel and restaurant long before GPS and smart phones. Though he enjoyed many professional successes, it was his colleagues and clients that he remembered most fondly.

As he became wise to the cold winters, black flies, and mosquitoes, David targeted a retirement in FL. One of his happiest moments was when he sold his snow blower and snow shovel and headed South. He was an early resident of the community of Grand Haven, early enough to have an opportunity to walk the course with Jack Nicklaus. With his work ethic omnipresent, he soon found himself working again-as a handyman, helping neighbors with anything from cleaning dryer vents to wrestling three foot cottonmouths. He also returned to the backroads in retirement, traveling across the US and Canada each summer with family and friends serving as waypoints, and getting to know every golf course, casino, restaurant, and museum on the way, though more recently with help from GPS and smart phones.

With his passing comes the opportunity to extend a hearty thank you to his many friends a GH, especially his golfing buddies who took care of him on the course during the latter stages of his disease. After teeing off, the guys would ask him, “Where did your ball go?” to which he would always respond, “Right down the middle!”. His ball was rarely found there so they would drop a ball in the middle of the fairway and say to him, “Here’s your ball Dave”, to which he would respond, “I told you it was down the middle!” You guys were terrific, so kind and patient with him.

To Sandi and the many GH volunteers who sat and chatted with him, took him out for breakfast or a hotdog, and listened to his jokes, you are very special people and you know who you are.

To his colleague Ron of MA, his high school buddy Dennis of NH, and dear friend “Bags” of GH, thank you for being a tremendous part of David’s life. As Ron said “Heaven will never be the same when David arrives.”

To all those who knew David, please know you were spoken of often. Each of your names were the answers to trivia questions his family asked him to keep his mind exercised.

David leaves with a commitment from his wife Sharon of 53 years, his son, Michael (and Kate) of WA, his daughter Kristi (and Jonathan) of NC, and his two granddaughters Kassidy and Madilynn (who were the loves of his life), to never lose the memories. He leaves a sister Barbara, and joins his brother Doug, his mother Wana and his father and mother-in-law Chic and Ruthie.

A celebration of life will be held at a later and safer time.

In lieu of flowers, the strong work ethic at organizations such as the Halifax Health Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Association, and your local community volunteer organizations are deserving. Alternatively, as David would have wanted, just look around you and help someone in need.