John ‘Jack’ Downes, age 78, of Oscoda, Michigan, passed away at his home peacefully with his family by his side on March 15, 2023. Jack was born in Lackawanna, New York, to the late John Downes, Sr. and Hildegarde Krenn on January 10, 1945. He was raised in New Britain, Connecticut and graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. Jack attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, and he was a proud graduate of the 1967 class. He used his talents to work as a sales manager and engineer for Torrington Bearing Manufacturing Company for 35 years before his retirement in 2001. In 1984 Jack moved to Union Lake, Michigan, and in 1988 he met and married the love of his life, Yvonne M. Downes, in Walled Lake, Michigan. The two shared the next 34 years together happily married. Jack was a member of the Oscoda Yacht Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the Iosco Sports Mens Club, the SAE fraternity, and the American Society of Medical Engineers. His several hobbies included restoring classic cars or hotrods, boating, fishing, shooting guns, and most importantly spending some quality time with his family.
Jack is survived by his wife, Yvonne Downes; his children, John (Teri) Downes III, Melody Cruickshank, James (Amy) Downes, Brian (Staci) Cruickshank, and Bonnie (Greg) Carrier; brother, Michael J. Downes; sister, Judith M. Downes; 22 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; three nieces, and four nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents, John Downes, Sr. and Hildegarde Krenn.
Per Jack’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial service at Buresh Funeral Home in Oscoda, Michigan on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM. There will be a time of visitation before the service from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. You may offer an online condolence at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com
