Thomas A. Downes III

Tommy was born in the Bronx on November 14, 1954 and moved with his family to New City in 1960. He attended Albertus Magnus High School, Rockland Community College and Dominican College. He was employed by CIBA-GEIGY (now Novartis) for more than twenty years and then began a second career as a very popular personal trainer throughout Rockland and Bergen Counties, and at NYSC in Suffern. Tommy also volunteered at the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, and with the North Rockland High School Athletic Department.

Tommy loved sports; playing them, coaching them, and watching them (with the sound off). He had friends of all ages; from the Dominican Sisters who taught him, the Brothers at the Shrine whom he cared for, and the children of his teammates and friends who he more recently coached and mentored.

Tommy was predeceased by his beloved mother, Marianne V. Downes. He is survived by his father, Thomas A. Downes, Jr., his seven siblings, Jeanne (Pat), Gerrianne (Ted), Bill (Marie), Terry (Laura), Bob (Gina) Jim (Jeannie) and Mary Pat (John); 14 devoted nieces and nephews and 2 great-nieces. He is also survived by his three aunts; Eileen Kramer, Ann Reiner and Jean Reiner, countless loving cousins and friends who will all miss him very dearly.

Visiting hours are on Friday December 22nd from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main Street, New City, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday December 23rd at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi, 128 Parrott Road, West Nyack, NY. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Monsey, NY.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made in Tom’s memory, to the Downes Family Scholarship Fund at Albertus Magnus High School, Development Office, 798 Route 304, Bardonia, NY, 10954 or to the Marian Shrine, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY, 10980.