Alex
Alex Downie, Jr
d. December 7, 2009
BOARDMAN-Alex Downie, Jr. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 7, 2009. He was born October 8, 1920, the son of the late Alex and Gertrude (Robertson) Downie.
Alex graduated from Chaney High School in 1938 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, he received the mathematics award and for many years after served on Chaney alumni committees. In 1942, he graduated from Youngstown College with a degree in business administration and a major in accounting. He was a member and officer of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity where he made lifelong friends, the Delta Epsilon Honorary Scholastic Fraternity, the Dawn Patrol and the Inter-Fraternity Council.
In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, and he served for 30 months, becoming a Master Sergeant with the air transport command based in North Africa. Alex and Sara Hayes married September 24, 1945, and he went to work as a contractor with his father, his late brother Douglas, and late sister Elma Jeffries. He retired from Alex Downie and Sons in 2005. Over the years the company, under his direction built, added to, and renovated local banks and businesses, hospitals, churches, telephone exchanges, and many of the buildings in downtown Youngstown. Currently, three of Alex's sons and two grandsons work in the company.
Alex contributed throughout his life to community service. He was an original member and past president of the Boardman Tennis & Swim Club. Over the years, he volunteered extensively for and donated to local organizations: YWCA, Park Vista, the United Way, the Youngstown Playhouse, the Youngstown Symphony, the Arts Council, and Stambaugh Auditorium.
In 1991, he was named the Small Business Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and in 1993 he was named Humanitarian Man of the Year from the YWCA for his contributions which "cross all boundaries to benefit programs for youth, for the poor and elderly, and for cultural or health organizations and agencies." For more than 60 years, he was a member of the John Knox Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday school and was instrumental in building the educational wing addition.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, in 1976. He is survived by five children who feel blessed to have had him as a father: Alexis (Peter) Schaefer of Maryland, Ted (Julie) of Boardman, Tom (Jennifer) of Poland, Alex (Christine) of Canfield, and David (Coleen) of Boardman. His fifteen grandchildren, Sara and Andy Schaefer; Brian (Kricket), Jeffrey (Katie), Jessica and Stephen Downie; Megan, Matthew, and Jordan Downie; Danielle, Marie and Ellen Downie; Alex, Cailin and Sara Downie; and one great grandchild, Rowan Downie, survive him. He also leaves his wonderful companion of over 30 years, Pauline Sheban. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, generous, and loving soul.
The family wishes to thank family friend, Nancy Siefert.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the John Knox Presbyterian Church.
Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Cunningham Becker Funeral Home in Poland and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in memory of Alex Downie, Jr. to the John Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market Street, Youngstown, 44507.
Alex graduated from Chaney High School in 1938 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, he received the mathematics award and for many years after served on Chaney alumni committees. In 1942, he graduated from Youngstown College with a degree in business administration and a major in accounting. He was a member and officer of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity where he made lifelong friends, the Delta Epsilon Honorary Scholastic Fraternity, the Dawn Patrol and the Inter-Fraternity Council.
In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, and he served for 30 months, becoming a Master Sergeant with the air transport command based in North Africa. Alex and Sara Hayes married September 24, 1945, and he went to work as a contractor with his father, his late brother Douglas, and late sister Elma Jeffries. He retired from Alex Downie and Sons in 2005. Over the years the company, under his direction built, added to, and renovated local banks and businesses, hospitals, churches, telephone exchanges, and many of the buildings in downtown Youngstown. Currently, three of Alex's sons and two grandsons work in the company.
Alex contributed throughout his life to community service. He was an original member and past president of the Boardman Tennis & Swim Club. Over the years, he volunteered extensively for and donated to local organizations: YWCA, Park Vista, the United Way, the Youngstown Playhouse, the Youngstown Symphony, the Arts Council, and Stambaugh Auditorium.
In 1991, he was named the Small Business Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and in 1993 he was named Humanitarian Man of the Year from the YWCA for his contributions which "cross all boundaries to benefit programs for youth, for the poor and elderly, and for cultural or health organizations and agencies." For more than 60 years, he was a member of the John Knox Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday school and was instrumental in building the educational wing addition.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, in 1976. He is survived by five children who feel blessed to have had him as a father: Alexis (Peter) Schaefer of Maryland, Ted (Julie) of Boardman, Tom (Jennifer) of Poland, Alex (Christine) of Canfield, and David (Coleen) of Boardman. His fifteen grandchildren, Sara and Andy Schaefer; Brian (Kricket), Jeffrey (Katie), Jessica and Stephen Downie; Megan, Matthew, and Jordan Downie; Danielle, Marie and Ellen Downie; Alex, Cailin and Sara Downie; and one great grandchild, Rowan Downie, survive him. He also leaves his wonderful companion of over 30 years, Pauline Sheban. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, generous, and loving soul.
The family wishes to thank family friend, Nancy Siefert.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the John Knox Presbyterian Church.
Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Cunningham Becker Funeral Home in Poland and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in memory of Alex Downie, Jr. to the John Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market Street, Youngstown, 44507.
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