Royal Blaine Downs

Downs, Royal for website

ROYAL BLAINE DOWNS was born on June 10, 1954 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He was the fourth child born of the late Robert Reed Downs, Sr. and Dorothy Lee Chase Downs.  He departed this life, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday, February 3, 2014 at BostonUniversityMedicalCenter.

Royal attended St. Joseph’s and St. John’sSchools in Roxbury and graduated from DorchesterHigh School.  In 1981 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Royal played intramural sports at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.  In 1977, Royal and the Ujima basketball team won the Intramural Championship.  While at UMass, he was also an active member of the Ujima Club.  Royal was an exceptional roller skater, loved riding his bicycle, and enjoyed listening to the golden oldies with DJ Porter. His favorite groups were Blue Magic, the Delfonics, the Dramatics, and the Temprees, just to name a few.

After graduating from college, Royal was employed as a Pipe Fitter at the General Dynamics Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts.  He later became a Prison Guard at the Department of Corrections in Concord, Massachusetts and worked at Jewish Memorial Hospital in Boston.  Royal was also a handyman and specialized in plumbing.

His memories will be shared by long-time friend and mother of his children, Roslyn Gunn of Roxbury, MA; daughters:  Samia Gunn of Roxbury, MA and Tauri Ortiz (Jose) of Dorchester, MA;  sisters:  Robin R. (Downs) Robinson of Roxbury, MA and Roxanne (Downs) Greaves of Quincy, MA; brothers:  Ronald L. Downs (Patricia) of Milton, MA; Robert (“RD”) Downs, Jr. (Margaret) of Braintree, MA; Reginald R. Downs of Dorchester, MA; Ryan K. Downs (Teresa) of New Bedford, MA; stepmother Connie Downs of Dorchester, MA; half-brother Harold Downs of VA; and stepsister Eva (“Ginger”) Murray of Dorchester, MA.  He leaves to cherish his warm memory, seven grandchildren:  Tahj Malik Stone, Tiauni Castro, Damarco Ortiz, Giahda Ortiz, Jaevecio Ortiz, Bryce Robinson, Jaiauris Ortiz and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Funeral Service in Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St,. DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 11:00 AM with visitation prior 9:30-11.   Interment private.