Captain John Thomas Downey

John was a decorated pilot in the United States Air Force. He flew T-6s, B-25s, B-26s, B-29s, B-50s, and KC-97s. During the Korean War, John flew 10 combat missions from Yakota Air Force Base in Japan flying B-29s. He was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Air Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He spent several years with the Strategic Air Command and the 509th Bomb Wing (Hiroshima/Nagasaki History) in Special Weapons (Nuclear) Schooling.

Following his Military Service, John became a pilot with United Airlines. He spent a joyous 34 years captaining DC-6s, DC-7s, DC-8s, B-727s, DC-10s, Convair 340s, and Viscounts. He even flew President Nixon during his Presidential Campaign!

Upon moving to Florida, John became a devout member of St Ambrose Catholic Church in Deerfield Beach.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriet "Dolly" Downey, he is survived by his loving children, James, Paul, Richard (Carol), and Robert (Angela); and his darling grandchildren, Richard, Matthew, John, and Robert.

Family and friends are asked to gather at Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Homes, 448 West Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702, 10:30am, on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 before his funeral procession leaves for St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. Graveside Committal, with Honors, will take place at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY at 11:45am. Memorial Contributions may be made in John's honor to Trustbridge Hospice (www.hpbcf.org/donation) or by mail at: Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation/Hospice by the Sea Foundation, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or Vitas Hospice (www.vitascommunityconnection.org).