Joseph Downey Sr.

Joseph Strong Downey, (known by many as Mr. Joe), died March 23, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 94. He was born in Rock Hall, MD, on February 12, 1919, the son of the late Joseph Downey, Jr., and Angie Strong Downey. He graduated from Rock Hall High School Class of 1930. Mr. Joe attended Washington College in Chestertown and then went to work for Glenn L. Martin in Baltimore. He married Florence Rebecca “Becky” Parsons of Rock Hall, MD, on March 29, 1941. She predeceased him on July 21, 2005. Mr. Joe served in the U.S. Army during World War II stateside, training troops in Macon, GA. He returned from the war in July of 1946 and operated the Atlantic Service Station in Rock Hall. He later owned and operated Rock Hall Texaco and Dairy Queen along with a car wash in Rock Hall. In 1971, he bought the Tasty Freeze in Chestertown and later changed the name to Downey’s Chicken in 1978. He will be remembered for his outstanding fishing talents in local waters, where many of the local charter fishing captains would call “Mr. Joe” to help them locate the fish. Mr. Joe also was an accomplished pilot, flying his gliders over the Eastern Shore. He also built and flew model airplanes. In 1978, he was involved in the international Ice Boat Races held in St. Michaels, MD; he also traveled extensively racing ice boats. He enjoyed raccoon and fox hunting, deer hunting, and at one time, over his many hunting seasons, is on record for harvesting the largest deer in Maryland. He was a member of Chester Lodge #115 AF&AM where he recently had received his 60 year pin. He was also a member of Boumi Temple in Baltimore, the Sgt. Preston Ashley American Legion Post #228 in Rock Hall, Rock Hall Yacht Club, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kent. He is survived by his children, Joseph Strong “Sox” Downey, Jr., and his wife, Millie of Centreville, MD, and Ann Dowling and her husband, Larry of Rock Hall, MD; his grandchildren, Lori Miller, Gail White, Betsy Hickman, Laura Barry, and Sam Dowling; great grandchildren, Jordan Usilton, Morgan Usilton, Logan Usilton, Payton Usilton, Michael Reynolds, MacKenzie Montgomery, Colby Dowling, Jacob Hickman, Samuel Hickman, Cora Barry, Abigail Barry, and Grant Barry, and three great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Richard “Ricky” Downey in 1983. Services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown where relatives and friend may call on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 8 p.m. that evening. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Church Cemetery.

Joseph Downey Sr.

February 12, 1919 - March 23, 2013