Gerard Francis Downes, 69, of Westfield, died April 24, 2014. Born Feb. 16, 1945 in Dublin, Ireland, he was the son of Francis Gerard and Mary Elizabeth Downes.
He graduated from Little Flower High School in Chicago and earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Loyola University. He was a social worker with young people in a group home setting. He also was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps having served two tours in Vietnam.
He enjoyed playing hockey, jogging and watching old John Wayne movies. He is remembered among family, friends and care givers as a kind person, with a wonderful sense of humor and charm. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville.
Survivors include his sisters, Monica (Steven) Schnur, Veronica (Rudolph) Timke and Patricia (Brian) Skiles; nephews, Christopher (Anne-Marie Nielsen) Schnur and their children, Brayden and Amanda, and Jerry (Ann) Schnur and their daughter, Isabel; cousin, Esther Byrne; friend and caregiver, Tony Ramirez; and St. Vincent Stephen Minister, Kathy Stretch.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Angela Downes.
A Mass of Christian burial was held May 1 in the Chapel at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Alsip-Worth, Ill. Burial followed the service. Arrangements entrusted to Bussell Family Funerals, Carmel-Westfield.
