BANGOR – William F. Downes, 85, died Feb. 16, 2007, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Bill was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Brewer, the son of Earl A. and Kathleen L. (Reagan) Downes. Bill graduated from Bangor High School, Class of 1940. He served in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist mate, first class, from 1942 to 1946 at Camp Lejun, N.C., and China. On April 10, 1948, Bill married the love of his life, Marie T. Goupee Downes and they celebrated 58 wonderful years together. Bill worked for New England Telephone and Telegraph for 37 years, retiring in 1983. He was an active member of IBEW and served as president of the local IBTW for several years. Bill was a very involved member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Bill worked for the Bangor Daily News as a news carrier while a youth. He attended the New York World’s Fair in 1939, the result of winning a contest at the Bangor Daily News. After retiring from the telephone company, he returned to delivering newspapers as a Bangor Daily News sunriser. He also worked for the circulation department of the Bangor Daily News, completing this chapter of his life in 2002. Continuing in retirement, he went to work for the Bass Park Complex, Bangor, providing security at various events. Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Bangor. Bill loved dogs and adopted his children’s dogs as his own, providing weekly daycare. He could often be seen riding around Bangor checking out the city’s happenings in his truck with his canine co-pilot. Each spring, Bill planted morning glories around his driveway lamppost and loved to check for new blossoms each morning. He spent many summer hours enjoying his vegetable garden and for many years would walk daily to McDonalds on Union Street to meet his retired buddies for coffee. Bill is survived by his wife, Marie T. Downes of Bangor; five children, Paula Downes Vogel and husband, Howard Vogel, of Lexington, Mass., James W. Downes of Bangor, Brenda Lombard and husband, Steve Lombard, of Gorham, Charles A. Downes and wife, Johnetta Downes, of Brewer and Karen A. Farnham and husband, Don Farnham, of Winterport; eight grandchildren, Katie Downes, Jon Vogel, Michael Downes, Joe Vogel, Colby Downes, Kevin Lombard, Marcus Downes and Andy Farnham; sister, Kathleen Jacobs and husband, Arthur “Lefty” Jacobs of Brewer; and sister-in-law, Irene C. Downes. Bill was predeceased by his brother, James Earl Downes. Bill’s family expresses their thanks for the wonderful care he was given during his stay at the Maine Veterans’ Home. Friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ohio Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Thomas Lequin, pastor, presider. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts to the Alzheimer’s Unit, Maine Veterans’ Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401 or to the Telephone Pioneers of America, care of Cindy Black, 59 Park St., Bangor, ME 04401.
WILLIAM F. ‘BILL’ DOWNES
