Keohane Funeral Home

Henry A. Downey, of Plymouth, formerly of Dorchester and Roslindale, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on November 24, 2018. He was 89.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Chase) Downey. Henry graduated from Roslindale High School with the class of 1947. Following high school, Henry enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War, and earned the rank of Corporal

After his honorable discharge in 1953, Henry made his career with the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in the City of Quincy. He happily retired in 1988.

Following his retirement, Henry spent much of his time with family, doing the things they loved. Henry loved dogs and had three of them in his life. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and walking the canal. When his family was young, he would often bring everyone to his cottage in Plymouth to get away from the busy city. When he was at the cottage he enjoyed being outdoors and playing seasonal sports for fun. Henry was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Sacred Heart Society in Dorchester, the Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy and was also the treasurer for the Pilot newspaper. An active volunteer, Henry was a proud veteran and spent much of his time with Veterans Affairs. He liked to help where he could and often placed flags on veterans graves.

Henry was a family man. He loved his wife and children more than anything. He was a loving, caring, strong willed and selfless person. A man of faith, he enjoyed acting in St. Kevin’s Parish play, “The Christis” and played the role of Pontius Pilate six years in a row.

Henry was the beloved husband of the late Christine M. (Falzone) Downey. He was the devoted father of Karl F. Downey and his wife Anne of California, Sally A. Polvere and her late husband Daniel of Peabody, Joseph M. Downey and his wife Kathleen of West Roxbury, and Gerard W. Downey and wife Linda of Quincy. Henry was the loving grandfather of Michael  A. Polvere and his wife Samantha of Connecticut, Justina  M. Polvere of Peabody, Joseph Downey of Newton, Kara Downey of West Roxbury, James Downey of West Roxbury, Kyle Downey and his partner Fernanda Peria of Walpole, and Kelsey Downey of Quincy. He was the loving great grandfather of  Viola Marie and Danielle. Henry was preceded in death by his siblings Joseph, Edward, Francis, and John Kepple and Elizabeth Munns.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Tuesday, November 27th from 4 through 8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9 AM on Wednesday, November 28th prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, Quincy at 10 AM.

Services will conclude privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Henry may be made to Alzheimers Assn., MA Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.