Johnny Downing

It is a Celtic tradition to tell the bees of significant events as bees have a connection to the spirit world.

Tell the bees and speak his name! One of the world’s greatest lovers of persons and people has left us. Johnny Downing has passed from this earth after a lengthy illness that stole his gift of gab, but not one bit of his sweetness and charm, not one drop of his wit and humor or loving kindness.

The second son of Parks and Peggy Downing, John Edward Downing was born in Nassawadox on March 5, 1950, and was reportedly a sweet baby and sweet boy, excepting mischievous exploits and adolescent adventures that will go down in history among those in the know.

A member of Class of 1968, Johnny attended Northampton High School and was forever a Yellow Jacket despite having married an Onancock Blue Devil, Cynthia Jean Serini. He continued his education at College of Albemarle on a basketball scholarship. He finished his education with a Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees from ODU and Virginia Tech. The Downing’s parallel careers in education means that hundreds, more likely thousands of Eastern Shore youth had benefit of their instruction and encouragement. Johnny served as a teacher, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Principal for Northampton County Public Schools. Johnny’s kindness and assistance to many lifelong friends and acquaintances was well known in his personal and professional lives. He left his mark on everyone’s memory who ever knew him.

After retiring from the school system, he worked at Onancock Building Supply, adding to his long roster of friends. He was able to indulge his love of woodworking at home and for others, even creating crafty animals for the fun of it.

Johnny loved to do many things. His favorite was spending time with his younger brother David, and he would often mention him on the radio with a “Good Morning, David!”.

Johnny filled his time with volunteering and serving on the board of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), which included organizing the annual Fish Fry. Other favorite things to do were growing grape tomatoes, and making fig preserves with his grandmother’s recipe. He never missed calling Friday night football on WESR and posting the weather report from the Weather Deck at Dingley’s Mill where the kenuten valve was kept under lock and key and he kept watch for the annual siting of the Pungoteague Possum. He loved to play golf, pranks, and organize mystery trips. One of his greatest trips was going to “Pumpkin Chunking”.

Johnny is survived by Cyndi, his devoted wife of 49 years; Peggy Boole Downing, his mother; David, his younger brother; Anne, his sister-in-law; nephews Clay Downing, Andy Futrell and Charlie Futrell; godson Garrett Miles; Carolyn Upshur and Ernest Upshur, who were his devoted caregiver family. And last of all, Ditto, the “devil cat”.

He was predeceased by his father, Parks Abbott, and his older brother Parks Abbott, Jr.

Family and friends will gather for a private service. A public tribute will be held at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club, with date and time to be announced.

You might honor Johnny by planting a tree, or by making a donation to St. James’ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund (memo: Kitchen Renovation), P.O. Box 540, Accomac, VA 23301, Eastern Shore Youth Golf Club, 14421 Country Club Road, Melfa, VA 23410, or to a charity of your choice.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

IF I SHOULD GO

If I should go before the rest of you

Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone

Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice

But be the usual selves that I have known

Weep if you must

Parting is hell

But life goes on

So sing as well.

~ Joyce Grenfell