Paul Marcus Downey

Paul will forever be remembered for his gentle kindness, generosity, and wonderful sense of humor. As a talented and dedicated registered nurse, he was recognized for the excellent nursing care and compassion with which he served his patients, and their families, in trauma care, intensive care, and surgical recovery.

Born December 8, 1963 in Pittsburgh, PA, Paul was the son of Renate M. (Gauck) Downey and the late John W. Downey. He grew up in Warren, PA, where he attended Warren Area High School and was a member of its 1982 graduating class. At an early age, Paul acquired a love for the outdoors; he enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, swimming, and playing sports with family and friends.

He most recently worked at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston, MA and previously had been a longterm employee of Southcoast Hospital Group in RI and MA.

Paul is survived by his wife Elizabeth Maria (DeSousa) Downey, whom he met and fell in love with while they both worked as traveling nurses. They continued to travel in western US as nurses for several years, eventually settling in Tiverton, RI to raise their children closer to their immediate families. He was the loving, devoted and proud father of two teenage daughters, Sarah and Michaela.

In addition to his wife, mother, and daughters, Paul also leaves his beloved siblings, whom he always made time to stay in touch with: Karl Downey (Michele), Mary Boyles (Ray), Theresa Darling (Reg), Kevin Downey (Amy), Kathleen DowneyTabol (Mitch), and Michael Downey (Ashley). He was the brother of the late John F. Downey.

Also left behind are his wife’s family, all of whom Paul loved and respected: fatherinlaw Manuel DeSousa (Lucy), brotherinlaw Paul DeSousa, and sisterinlaw Christine Medeiros (Fred). Surviving family also includes numerous nieces and nephews, and his former wife Rae (Nelson) Lee.

Paul was an active communicant of St. Theresa Parish in Tiverton, RI, where a Catholic Mass was held June 26.

Deeply missed by family, friends, colleagues, and patients, Paul should be remembered for his selfless service. If friends desire, donations should be made to a charity of one’s choice. But more importantly, in his memory Paul would want us to be kind, loving, and patient to all those our lives touch, each and every moment of the day.