September 1, 2010

Parish business manager dies

Joseph Downs, who served as business manager at Christ on the Mountain Parish in Lakewood for two decades, died July 17 following a long illness.  He was 64. 

A native of Denver, Downs attended Regis Jesuit High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder.  He and his wife, Sally were married for 36 years and had three children and one grandchild.  Outside of his job for the parish, he worked as a salesman for Pitney Bowes.  His daughter, Molly, said her father was the sort who got to know everyone in the parish.

“He was a great guy,” she said, “a sacrificial and kind man who always had time for you.”

Father John Grabrian, pastor at Christ on the Mountain called Downs a diligent worker and good friend.

“Joe was a committed person who for 20 years had the total interest of the parish at heart,” Father Grabrian said. “Everything he did was to build up the parish itself.  He was a gentle person, wonderful to work with and was loved by all.”

A funeral Mass for Joseph Downs was held at Christ on the Mountain on July 21.