Leo F. Downing, of Windham, N.H., and Naples, Fla., and formerly of Groveland, died on Wednesday, July 25. He was 86. The beloved husband of Anne (Miller) Downing and loving father of Linda Mullin and her husband Robert of Duxbury, Michael Downing and his wife Jacqueline of Barnstead, N.H., Anne Helmstetter and her husband Christopher of Langhorne, Penn., and Laura Downing and her husband Gerald Fabiano of Boston, he was predeceased by his son J. Brian Downing. He was the devoted grandfather of six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Downing was the cherished brother of Therese Stegall, the late James Downing, Beverly O’Rourke, Charles Downing and Mary Linscott.
Downing graduated from Dedham High School and Northeastern University in 1954. He was employed for 25 years with Exxon and then with Energy North in Wakefield. He was active in politics in Massachusetts, serving on the Town of Groveland Board of Selectman for 15 years. He held many other town offices for over 20 years. His greatest joys were family traveling and golf. He enjoyed golfing at Countryside Golf and Country Club in Naples, Fla., Hoodkroft Country Club in Derry, N.H., and at the Georgetown Country Club.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 29, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 South Main St., Haverhill, from 3-6 p.m. Services begin Monday in the funeral home at 9 a.m., with a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 114 Center St., Groveland at 10 a.m. Private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140.