David E. Downey

June 12, 1932 - February 20, 2022

David E. Downey, age 89, died on February 20, 2022 at Country Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Newburyport after a period of decline. He was one of five children and the second-eldest son of the late Daniel F. Downey and Helen (Butterworth) Downey. Dave grew up on Tenney Street, Methuen, and delivered newspapers as a boy. When he wasn’t delivering papers, he enjoyed playing basketball with other neighborhood kids. A love of sports would carry Dave throughout his life. Dave lived most of his life in Methuen, moving to Lawrence with his wife, Victoria (Vicky), when the house they had lived in for more than three decades (“the big white house on the hill” on Pleasant Valley Street), along with acres of woodland, was razed to build a mega apartment complex. After Vicky passed away in 2014, Dave resided briefly at Methuen Village senior living residence. As one of the few residents who still drove and had a car, Dave was popular with his new friends for the NH State liquor store runs he made at their behest. Prior to his short stay at Country Center, Dave had been living in Salem, NH, with his daughter, Tina Lambert, and her family. Upon graduating from the former Searles High School in 1950, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served his country during the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant while helping to ensure the safety of seaports throughout the Mediterranean. When reflecting on his military service, the Korean War veteran was almost apologetic for remaining unscathed, while other enlisted young men whom he knew were gravely wounded or died in battle. His family, however, was simply grateful that he was kept safe. Dave was a young man when he met and married the love of his life, Vicky Hyder, whom he insisted pursued him. “I was a shy, quiet guy. Your mother approached me,” he liked to recall to his kids, remembering the day that Vicky popped into the local tavern with her best friend, Pauline. He always maintained an awe that this petite, outgoing, bubbly woman—his social opposite—chose him to be her life partner. During the course of their 58-year marriage, the couple had four children, four grandchildren, several dogs and cats—and two house bunnies. Dave formed a special attachment to Emma, their second bunny and the second “love of his life.” His bond with Emma was endearing—and a source of amusement to Dave’s kids. You see, although lots of animals shared the family’s home over the years, Dave’s kids were accustomed to hearing their father’s oft-uttered refrain, “I said: ‘No more pets’ – no one listens to me! . . .” But he had mellowed over the years, at least, toward Emma. In his last years, Dave would have a falling out with Herman the cat, whom he exiled. But Herman ended up living a life of feline luxury, with human subjects who adored and worshiped him. And Dave could now have his lunch and watch Gunsmoke on MeTV without Herman silently begging for a morsel. Family vacation was always Salisbury Beach, the last two weeks of August. Dave would pack up the car, with Vicky beside him in the front seat and kids David, Kathy, Laurie, and Tina jammed into the backseat, along with Eric, the family dog—panting and drooling on the back of Dave’s neck—as Dave drove to their rented cottage on Atlantic Avenue for sun and fun. Summertime also meant softball. For many years, Dave pitched for several local teams, including the Concordia Club, Herman’s Hall, and the British Club. Vicky and the couple’s four children went to all of Dave’s ballgames. After the games, when Dave was pitching for the Concordia Club, the kids—having dressed into their pajamas—would remain in the back of the family’s station wagon, parked just outside the window of the Concordia Club (so Vicky could peek out), while Dave and Vicky went inside to celebrate the team’s win, or forget about a loss. Dave’s children would tease him, years later, that he and their mother would be thrown in jail for such a parenting decision today. But those were innocent times. And their children thought it was a great adventure and an awesome opportunity to sneak out of the car and play with the neighborhood kids in the Concordia Club parking lot. Dave also enjoyed golfing, a passion he pursued through his mid-80s. And he was a great candlepin bowler, remaining on his weekly league at Academy Lanes in Haverhill through age 86. After attending teacher’s college, Dave ultimately decided the profession was not for him. (His kids could attest to the prudence of this decision, remembering the times their father tried helping them with their metric system homework, an undertaking that left all involved flustered—except for their mother. Vicky would laugh so hard at the spectacle that she might pee her pants.) Dave retired from the IRS (“the company with a heart,” he’d joke, sardonically), where his wife Vicky also retired from. (Dave’s father Daniel, a former union leader for the Arlington Mills in Lawrence during the 1940s, had also retired from the IRS). Dave and Vicky never had much for themselves in terms of luxuries, but their lifestyle was largely by choice; they had each other, and that was enough for both. And they always ensured that their children had whatever they needed growing up. No one would ever call Dave a flashy guy. He lived modestly and was never extravagant. Just as he and Vicky selflessly and quietly gave to others in need over the years, Dave continued this quiet generosity after Vicky’s death. Losing Vicky to Alzheimer’s disease wounded Dave, and he felt her absence every day. He grew a little quieter than he already was by nature, and more reclusive, preferring to stay home and reminisce about the years he and Vicky had shared (he also liked to reminisce about the time he hit 400 for his high bowling score, after three strings). Dave also began saying “I love you” a lot more often to his children. He had been ready, for a while, to be reunited with his beloved. At the time of his death, Dave’s heart was able to meld, once again, with Vicky’s. David’s family thanks the staff at Country Center, along with Constellation Hospice, for providing him with care and compassion. A special thank you to Josefu Gomez for providing David with his weekly “spa day” grooming this past year and to Phyllis Lungo for cutting and styling Dave’s luxurious white mane. Besides his parents and his wife, Vicky, Dave was predeceased by his older brother, Daniel, and youngest sister, Janice. His immediate survivors include his sister, Joyce, and her husband, Dennis Brugman, of Ocala FL; brother, Kenny, of Tucson, AZ; son, David, and his wife, Minako, of Haverhill, MA; daughter, Laurin, of Salem, NH; daughter, Tina, and her husband, Kevin Lambert, of Salem, NH; daughter, Kathy, and her life partner, Christopher Paglia, of Byfield, MA; grandchildren, Dylan and Jacob Lambert, and Jake’s fiancée, Kim Piazza, of Salem, NH; Pamela and Russell Downey of Pensacola, FL, and their mother, Francine; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Dan Donohue of Mesa, AZ; and Vicky’s cousin, Bev Winn of Methuen, MA. Calling hours will be held at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9-11 AM. His funeral service will be held immediately following at 11 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at www.alz.org, to honor Dave’s late wife, Vicky, are suggested. For directions, or to send a condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard is honored to serve the Downey family.