James C. Downing

James C. Downing, age 101, passed away on October 12, 2025. He was born on August 18, 1924 and grew up in western New York, spending much of his early years in North Java. His father, Edward, died when he was 5. The Great Depression was just starting. He grew up with his brother Edward (Gus), sister Jeanie, and their mother (Gertrude Brady).

When World War II began, Dad served in the 15th Army Air Corps, 456th Heavy Bomber Group. He trained in Tonopah NV, and then they flew their B-24 across the Atlantic via Natal, Brazil, to Dakar, Senegal; amazing adventure for a kid from Wyoming County. Magically, he flew 50 missions as a nose gunner in a B-24 bomber, and this was the maximum missions before they sent you home. He was based in North Africa and Italy, participating in missions including the harrowing air raids over Ploesti, Romania. One of the raids on Ploesti had 178 B-24s take off and only 88 returned. Imagine being 19 years old and doing that! Other missions included bombing places like Munich, Budapest, Vienna, Bucharest, Lyon and others. His fondest memories were of Cerignola Airfield (Italy), where he and his crew had some great times and stories.

Mom and Dad were devout Catholics, attending church every Sunday, with Mom often wearing a headscarf. After retirement, they attended Mass daily. They were so respected in the Catholic Church that they were chosen to receive communion directly from Pope John Paul II at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Their faith was central to their lives.

After the war, he married Dorothy Almeter, who was from Strykersville, New York, just a stone’s throw from North Java. Their love story is remarkable, but that’s for another time. Dorothy passed away in 2009 from complications of Alzheimer’s at the age of 85. Dad cared for her single-handedly until the end, honoring his promise never to place her in a care home.

Jim and Dorothy had 6 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, all of whom are alive and well: Mark and Kevin live in Portland, Oregon; Michael, Michele, and Shawn live near Dad in Maryland; and Patrick lives in Bangkok, Thailand. Grandchildren are Langley, Sean, Julia and Jake. Great -great-grandchildren are Chase and Madoc.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 11 am at St John Neumann Parish - St Cecilia Church, 991 Centerline Rd, Strykersville, NY 14145. Mr. & Mrs. Downing will be laid to rest in St. Nicholas Cemetery.