West Chatham Chapel

Savannah-Mr. Emmett Downes, 81 and beloved husband of Sandra (Sandi) Downes quietly passed away on Friday, October 3, 2008 under the care of THA Group Island Hospice at his Pooler home, losing his battle with cancer.

Mr. Downes was born on Chicago, IL's south side on July 20, 1927 to Ann L. Durkin and George W. Downes (both deceased). Downes was exceptionally proud of his Irish Catholic upbringing and was especially close to his paternal grandmother, Mary (Farley) Downes who was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in the 1890's.

After parochial grade school in Chicago, Downes attended St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul, MN. In 1944 he joined the Merchant Marines and in 1946 while in Calcutta, India, Downes joined the U.S. Army serving on the China, Burma, India (CBI) front. He was honorably discharged in 1948.

Downes, as a young man, had a brief career as a Chicago area policeman but found the steel industry offered him more challenge. He was a steel executive for the rest of his professional career, selling his own company, Mohawk Steel Corporation in 1986 and moving to Florida. Retirement offered him the perfect environment in which to bask in his Irish heritage. Downes founded and hosted the Harp & Shamrock Ceili, a radio show featuring traditional Irish music, comedy and social commentary. Always on the move, Downes adapted his show to markets in Santa Fe, NM, Galveston, TX and eventually GSU in Statesboro, GA.

Downes was a passionate traveler and journeyed to all parts of the globe, including most of Europe's capitals, Saudi Arabia, India, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Especially fond of India and Ireland he returned often to visit with lifelong friends.

Since moving to Pooler in 2000, Mr. Downes has been an active volunteer at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum where he greeted visitors every Saturday with his trademark warmth and humor and formed many friendships amongst the members and volunteers of the Museum.

Surviving is his wife, Sandra (Mantick) Downes, his sisters, Pat Svatos and Dawn LaCaria of Chicago, IL, his children, Brian Downes, Ann (Rick) Ruch, Terrence (Jeannette) Downes, Susan (Stacy) Gilhart, Phillip Downes and Bridgett Newell. Downes also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to cherish his memory.

Memorial Services will be held at the Chapel of the Fallen Eagles at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a remembrance gift to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402 or THA Group Island Hospice, 4A Skidaway Walk Village, Savannah, GA 31411.