Joseph L. Downie, 80, of Niagara Falls, NY died on Sunday August 16, 2009 at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Charles J. and Margaret (McKernan) Downie.

Joseph was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY. He attended local schools including Our Lady of the Rosary and the former Trott Vocational High School. On November 11, 1950 he married Loretta V. (DeMiglio) Downie at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Niagara Falls, NY. During the Korean War he served in the United States Army as a mechanic with the 51st Ordinance stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953. Joe was employed at the former Kimberly Clark Corporation in Niagara Falls, NY. He then worked at E.I. DuPont Company as a pipefitter and became a supervisor for twenty two years until retiring in 1985 after thirty four years of service.

Joseph was an active member of the former St. Charles Borromeo Church until they merged with St. John De LaSalle Church. He served as a church trustee for thirty years as well as chairman of their Bingo committee and was the recipient of the St. Joseph the Worker Award for his dedication and volunteer service in the church. He was also a member of the Volare Lodge in Niagara Falls. Joseph enjoyed playing the organ, golfing and bowling. He often would lend a helping hand to his church, friends and family with home repairs and plumbing, heating and air conditioning projects. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and was active in his grandchildren's lives.

In addition to his wife of fifty eight years, Mr. Downie is survived by two children Roxanne (Timothy) Welsh of the Town of Tonawanda and Joseph C. (Sharon) Downie of Wheatfield, NY; five grandchildren Jennifer, Nicholas, and Julie Downie and Ryan and Sarah Welsh; five brothers and two sisters John B. Downey of Niagara Falls, NY; Dorothy (late Robert) Greenland of North Tonawanda, NY; Frank (Ruth) Downie of Niagara Falls, NY; Gertrude (Louis) Poirier of North Tonawanda, NY; Richard (Nancy) Downie of Middleboro, MA; Arthur (Arlene) Downie of the Town of Niagara and Raymond Downie of Anaheim, CA and several nieces, nephews, great-niece, great-nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three brothers Charles (Sally of Niagara Falls, NY) Downie, Gerard (late Mary Lou) Downie, Peter Downie and two sisters Mary (late Albert) Lewis and Elizabeth (late Charles) Mahoney.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 2 – 4 and 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Thursday August 20th at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. John De LaSalle Church, 8469 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart Lindsay, OSFS officiating. Interment with military honors will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.