Downey, Patrick died on February 11, 2019 at the age of 87. He was a husband, father, grandfather, historian, bicycle rider, reader, teacher and trouble maker in the spirit of his heroes Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy & Dorothy Day. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jennie, children Catherine (Kerry), Margaret (Craig), Brendan (Shirin), Maureen (John), Therese (Jack), Patrick (Alison), & grandchildren Hugh, Patrick, Astrid, Fiona, Cecilia, David, Sophie & Hanna. Born on the family farm near Stewartsville, MO in 1931 to William Keily & Margaret Kenney Downey. Patrick attended Plattsburgh High School, served in the US Air Force, and graduated from The College of St. Benedict in Atchison KS, and the University of Minnesota. He taught at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and retired after a long career at North Hennepin Community College. He was a proud and active member of the Democratic Farmer Labor Party, Vets for Peace and a 51 year resident of North Minneapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents & ten siblings. We are grateful to the outstanding caregivers at Catholic Eldercare, & to many friends and extended family members who loved & supported him over the course of his battle with Alzheimer's. A celebration of his long life will take place March 2nd at Spirit of St Stephen, 2201 1st Ave S, Minneapolis. Visitation at 10am, service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please vote, join a picket line, lend a hand or sing a song not well, but loudly. Memorials preferred to Catholic Eldercare or Vets for Peace.

Published on February 17, 2019