Frederick W. Downing Obituary (1917 - 2017)

AUGUSTA ~ Frederick W. Downing of Pittsburgh, PA, formerly of Hallowell, died on Sunday, Nov.5, 2017 at Presbyterian Senior Care, Oakmont, PA. The son of Arthur E. and Cleora (Churchill) Downing, he was born in Auburn on Sept. 12, 1917. He was a graduate of Edward Little High School, Bates College and Columbia University. He served in the United States Navy retiring from active duty and the Naval Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. Fred was the first Executive Secretary of the Maine State Employees Association; Director of Vermont Civil Service; Guidance Director in Boothbay, Wilton and SAD #11 (Gardiner) high schools; US Census Bureau canvasser; and a full-time adult education volunteer in the Kennebec County Jail. In Hallowell, where he lived for 55 years, Fred was a leader in developing Camp KV for the Kennebec Valley Girl Scout Council, on the Planning Board, an assessor and a member of Old South Congregational Church. Fred was associated with the Aloha Camps in Fairlee, VT for 26 years. He was an avid reader and genealogist of the Downing family history. He achieved his goal of living to be 100. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Judith Chick Downing, and his brothers, Franklin P., Roland S., and Paul M. Downing. Survived by his daughter, Jane A. of Pittsburgh, PA and son, James A. of Redmond, WA; grandchildren, Jennifer of Cambridge, MA and Garth F. of Renton WA; and eight nieces and nephews. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 10th at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com