Kevin D. Downey
Past Commander of Tewksbury D.A.V. & V.F.W.
TEWKSBURY: Kevin D. Downey, age 77, a resident of Tewksbury for over 48 years, passed away surrounded by his wife and children, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
He was the beloved husband of Marianne (Splaine) Downey, with whom he would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on January 22, 2025.
Born in Somerville on May 19, 1947, he was the son of the late James and Dorothy (Shea) Downey.
Kevin was raised in Somerville and graduated from the former Matignon High School in 1966.
Immediately after graduation, Kevin enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served during the Vietnam War and was awarded several decorations for his active-duty service including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a technician in the telecommunications industry by the Verizon Corporation at their Dracut service center.
Kevin was an avid Keno player, enjoyed watching the Red Sox and walks with his wife “Lovey”. Some of his favorite earlier memories were from their yearly trips to Aruba with family and friends; as well as his time fishing with his late brother-in-law Ralphie.
Kevin was a very hard-working and loyal family man and friend. One of his best qualities was his unwavering honesty; you never had to wonder what was on his mind or where you stood with him.
Kevin was proud of military service and during the years donated many hours of his time to several area civic and veteran organizations including the Bedford V.A. Hospital, the Tewksbury Patriotic Activities Committee, and the New England Telephone Veterans Advisory Board.
Kevin was a longtime member and past commander of the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post # 110 and the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post # 8164. In addition, he was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Post in Somerville and the American Legion Post in Tewksbury.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Sue McLaughlin and her husband Mike, of Tewksbury, Sean P. Downey, of Cranston, RI, and Allyson Casey and her longtime companion Fil Faria, of Tewksbury. Affectionately known as “Yaya” to his ten grandchildren: Meaghan, Shannon, Kate and Heather McLaughlin, Derrick, Jay, Anna and Kevin Downey, and Leah and Brendan Casey; seven great-grandchildren: Aubree and Sophia Deming, Jason, Addie and Lochlann Downey and Callie and A.J. Downey. He was the brother of Mike Downey and his late wife Ginny, of Somerville, Maureen (Downey) Staples and her late husband Dick, of Tewksbury, and the late James Downey; brother-in-law of Michael Splaine and his wife Nancy, of Nashua, NH, Brian Splaine, of Somerville, Julianne Killin and her late husband Charlie, of Somerville and the late Ralph Splaine and his surviving wife Tricia, of Methuen. He leaves many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Calling hours are Sunday, January 19th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. At the family’s request there are No Funeral Services. Private interment will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kevin’s memory may be made to the Run To Home Base Foundation at www.runtohomebase.org