Porter Hanning Downey died peacefully on Monday, April 19th at the age of 95 in Inverness, Florida. Mr. Downey is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Dickie Young Downey, his sister Barbara Winecoff, and his sister Rachel Ann Bennett. Mr. Downey is survived by his sister, Janice Anderson of Farmington, Connecticut. Mr. Downey is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Lynne Downey Goldsmith (Robert) of Broomfield CO and Janice Anne Donoghue (Michael) of Plandome, NY, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mr. Downey was born in Los Angeles, CA on March 13, 1926. He graduated from Canton High School, in Canton, CT and enlisted in the US Navy. After his honorable discharge in February, 1946, he went on to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, earning his BA in 1950. He and his father, William Downey jointly published the Farmington Valley Herald, until the elder Mr. Downey’s death in 1955. Mr. Downey had a distinguished career at a Life Insurance Company, an executive in public relations and advertising from 1955 until he retired in 1988.
Mr. Downey lived in Simsbury, CT most of his adult life serving in various capacities, including as Republican Town Chairman for the town of Simsbury. He was instrumental in protecting wetlands, and in the development of the McClean Game Reserve. He was also a Connecticut delegate to several Republican national presidential conventions. He and Betty moved to Florida in 1997 to enjoy the warm weather and golfing all year round. They were members of St. Margaret’s church in Inverness.
A Requiem Eucharist will be offered on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM from St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Inverness and will be conducted by Fr. Eugene Reuman. Cremation care by the Chas E Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL.
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