Exeter, N.H. — Alan D. Downey, age 70 years, of Exeter, N.H., formerly of Lynn, died Saturday, April 30, 2016, at his home, following a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Deborah A. (Dakin) Downey, and the son of the late William and Jane (Curry) Downey.
Born and raised in Lynn, Alan lived most of his life in Lynn, where he and his wife Deborah raised their family. In retirement, they moved to Exeter, N.H. He was a graduate of Essex Agricultural School, Class of 1964. He earned his associates degree from the Stockridge School of Agriculture in 1967 and from North Shore Community College, where he studied fire science.
He was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and retired after 32 years, from the Lynn Fire Department as a Captain in 2003, serving most of his career from the Fayette Street Fire House.
He was an avid camper, especially at his camps, Kings and Queens in South Lebanon, Maine, and Old Stage Campground in Madbury, N.H. For several years, he was on the Lynn Fire Department color guard and a drummer for Boston Gaelic Pipes and Drums. Alan was also a member of the Lynn Fire Relief Association. He also enjoyed playing golf, but, most important to Alan was the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Besides his loving wife Deborah of 42 years, he is survived by his three sons, Jason Downey and his wife, Nancy, of Raymond, N.H., Lynn Fire Lieutenant Kevin Downey and his wife, Sarah, of Lynn, and Brian Downey of Exeter, N.H., his grandchildren, Caitlyn, Andrew, Noah and Lucas Downey, his brother, Dick Downey, State Police, Ret. and his wife, Judith, of Lynn, and his twin sisters, Janet Reither of Lynn and Maria Downey of Lynn. He was the brother of the late Stevan Downey, Lieutenant of the Lynn Police Department.
Service information: His funeral will be held from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, on Friday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Lynn, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Firefighters Lot at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 20 Mall Road, Suite 261, Burlington, MA 01803. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.