Obituary of Stephen Downey

Stephen Thomas Downey, 68, died peacefully at his home July 22, 2015, with his family at his side. Born in Braintree, Mass., he was the son of the late Francis Vincent and Eileen Agnes Carroll Downey. He then moved with his family to Syracuse at age 10. Steve met his wife, the former Judith Gamble, while in college at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. He received his bachelor's degree in history. Steve and Judi were married at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, N.Y., and lived in Glenville, N.Y., for 43 years prior to their current home in Schenectady, N.Y. He served in the Army National Guard for six years prior to a career in the automotive industry that spanned 40 years. He was a sales associate for several area dealerships in the area, including Keeler Honda where he served as G.M. and Morris Ford in Burnt Hills, N.Y. Steve was an avid golfer throughout his life, and enjoyed taking family trips to Cape Cod. A history buff, he was fascinated by the life of Abraham Lincoln and read many books on the Civil War and American history. His life was centered around his family, where he cherished the time spent with his grandchildren. Steve was also a proud Boston Red Sox fan through and through! He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judith Downey, and their children: Stephen Thomas Downey Jr. (Jennifer) of Garner, N.C.; Sean Francis Downey (Lana) of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; and Heather Judith Sherman (Warren) of Burke, Va. Beloved Papa of Christian Anthony Sanchez, Madison Kay Downey, Riley Bryce Downey, Liam Patrick Downey, Aidan Riley Downey, Quinn Elijah Downey, Ridley Penn Sherman and Jasper Drake Sherman. Steve is survived by his sister Ellen Downey and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Caryn Smolik. Funeral services will be held Friday (July 24) at 1 p.m. at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Glenville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also call at the funeral home prior to the service from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Interment St. Anthony's Cemetery, Glenridge Road. Contributions may be made in memory of Stephen T. Downey to the Jimmy V Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed to the Downey Family at GlenvilleFuneralHome.com.