Richard Harold Downes

Richard H. Downes, 90, passed away October 27 at the Pavilion at Shell Point Retirement Community. Born in Summit, N.J., to James E. and Emily R. Downes, April 25, 1926, he graduated from Summit High School and went directly into the U.S. Navy and World War II. Eventually assigned to the Pacific Theater, Dick was on a ship that was part of a fleet sent to invade Japan when the first atom bomb was dropped. When the second bomb detonated the war was essentially over in that sector. The invasion troops became occupation forces and Dick spent a year in Japan before being shipped home and discharged. He graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., four years later, working in sales for several years before opting for Law School at Rutgers, graduating in 1960. He had married Jean Prout in 1957 and when his clerkship concluded they relocated to Northwest N.J., in Sparta, Sussex County. There he specialized in land use law, representing municipal Planning and Zoning Boards as well as individual clients. Retirement brought them to Sanibel, Fl., where he used his background as a member of Sanibel’s Planning Commission and also took time to sharpen his fishing skills. In 2002, Dick and Jean moved to Shell Point. He is survived by his wife, three nephews, Ed Downes of Wyoming, Don Downes of Arizona, and Rick Downes of California, and his little brother from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in New Jersey – John Trythall- now of new Hampshire. He was a grandfather to John’s five children. Arrangements have been entrusted to National Cremation & Burial Society.