Obituary of Charles Robert Downey

On August 31, 2017, Charles R. Downey, resident of Santa Cruz, California, passed to the stars and into the hands of his Heavenly Father. Lifelong SF Giants and 49ers fan, avid gardener, lover of dogs, flight enthusiast, music devotee, traveler, classic car buff, and successful business owner. Charles was born in Watsonville, CA. When he was six years old, his mother, Catherine, passed away and he lived with his Aunts Charlotte and Libby most of his youth. Both were married to military men and so he lived all over the state of CA, finally graduating from Point Loma High School, in San Diego, CA. He attended several colleges among them the University of Southern California and San Francisco City College. While in San Francisco, he met his beautiful life partner, Beverly Ann Mitchell. Charles (sometimes called Charlie, Chuck, Chaz or Winky by his friends) had a successful 50+ year career in the insurance industry but had some interesting diversions before that. He was a hospital orderly at LA Medical Center, an egg farmer, and tried theological school while working as a parish assistant at Bel-Air Presbyterian Church. Eventually choosing insurance he ultimately found his way back to his home town of Santa Cruz. In 1963, he joined Andersen & Andersen Insurance Agency where he became partner. The agency ultimately became known as Downey, Cavadias, and Deane (DCD, Inc.). Charles was president until he sold to his partners. After retirement, Charles continued to work as an independent broker until fully retired in 2012. The community of Santa Cruz and the insurance industry benefited greatly from Charles' enthusiastic volunteerism….he loved meeting and working with people. In the community he gave talent and treasure to many organizations. The 20/30 Club (where its members drove a fire truck they donated to a small town in Mexico), Rotary Club of Santa Cruz (where he served on the board, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and Rotarian of the Year), The Dominican Hospital Foundation Advisory Board (and he volunteered in the hospital library), Monterey Bay Aquarium Docent, Board member for the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz High Band Booster President, Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop #674, President of the Native Sons of the Golden West, member of Forty Thieves, Pogonip Club, and the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge. In the insurance industry, he served as president of the Santa Cruz Independent Agents and on several committees as well as the Board of Directors for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California (IIABCal). Charles was also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Christians in Commerce. Charles had such a wonderful life. Fantastic, loyal, loving friends...he cared about people. But, mostly, he was a loving and devoted father who showed up for his kids activities, whether Boy Scouts, cheerleading, band, track, etc...he participated in their lives and after child raising was over, was their friend and life guide. They will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly, and his children, Jeff, of Las Vegas NV, and Kathryn and Carol Downey, of Santa Cruz. A mass and celebration of life will be held on October 14, 2017. The Mass will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA at 11:30 a.m., with a celebration following at 1:00 p.m. at The Native Sons of the Golden West Hall 239 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA. For more information, please visit www.scmemorial.com In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to one of Charles' favorite charities: Rotary Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the Dominican Hospital Foundation.