John W. Downing, 82, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2017.

He was born in Boston and lived his entire life in Massachusetts.   He attended Hingham Public Schools, graduated from Boston University in 1956 and attended Boston University Law School.  Mr. Downing served his country in the Army from 1957 to 1959.

For most of his adult life, Mr. Downing was an entrepreneur, and owned a tavern in Massachusetts for 25 years.  He was married for over 40 years to the late Dorothy (Kelley) Downing.   Mr. Downing possessed a great sense of humor and took pride in his Irish heritage and the accomplishments of his loving extended family.  He was an avid reader and a fan of the New England Patriots since their inception.  His favorite place was Vermont and he loved to go hiking there.

Mr. Downing is survived by his children John W. Downing of Chelmsford, Kathleen R. Cruickshank of Scituate, Brian T. Downing of McLean, VA, Matthew K. Downing of Uxbridge and Nicole E. Cruickshank of Holden; his grandchildren Sunjay Priyadarshan, Brad Downing, Margaret Downing, Emma Downing, Eleanor Downing and Benjamin Cruickshank; his brothers Francis Downing of Milford, Jeremiah Downing of Carver, Stephen Downing of Scituate, the late Walter Downing and Peter Downing.

A Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated in St. Agatha Church, East Milton, Wednesday July 5  at 10:30 AM. Visitation at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, 9 – 10 AM Wednesday. Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at 1:30 PM.