Obituary for Hugh Downing

Published in Galion, where Hugh was born and first worked

This is the obituary for retired BJ printer Hugh Downing, who passed away Wednesday, November 9 in The Villages, Florida.  It appeared in the Galion Inquirer, where Hugh – born in Galion -- began as a paperboy at age 14 and became a typesetter at the newspaper before leaving Galion for the Pensacola, Florida News Journal until he began his BJ career (1964-2000).

He will be cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life on the Downing driveway, 17900 S.E. 87th Bourne Avenue, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 16. A potluck meal will be part of the event.

The obituary in Hugh’s first hometown newspaper, in Galion, which also appeared in The Villages Daily Sun, his final hometown newspaper:

In loving memory of Hugh Downing, 1938-2016

Hugh Dennison Downing, 77, of The Villages, Florida passed away on Nov. 9, 2016. Hugh was born in Galion, Ohio in 1938 to Loretta and Paul. He graduated from Galion High School.

Spending his life working in the newspaper business, Hugh started working for the Galion Inquirer at age 14 as a paperboy and worked his way to typesetter before leaving the Inquirer in 1962. After a move to Florida, Hugh worked for the Pensacola News Journal until 1964 before "heading home" to The Akron Beacon Journal, the newspaper from which he would retire after 37 years, in 2000.

In 1980, Hugh was named Master of the Medina District (No. 58) Masonic Lodge – a designation he was both honored and proud to receive. Hugh loved his wife, boys and their families, cars, card games, biking and of course, golf. It was that love of golf that motivated Hugh and Sharon to move to The Villages in 2001 to enjoy their retirement.

Hugh is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon Downing. He is also survived by six siblings – Barbara Roelle (Homer), Bert Downing (Mary), Colleen Elliker (Bernard), James Downing (Carol), Judy Johnston (Bill) and Karen Yochem (Dan) – his children – Marshall Downing (Terri), Ben Downing (Lindsey), Chris Downing (Karen) and Jonathan Downing (Megan) – and son Dennis Downing – nine grandchildren and 23 nieces and nephews.

A memorial open house celebrating Hugh's life will be held at his home in The Villages on Wednesday, Nov.16 from 4-6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Hugh's name to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation .

 

Published in The Galion Inquirer on Nov. 12, 2016