Douglas Downie

Douglas Downie, Jr., age 63, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2019 in the Aultman Compassionate Care Center in Canton, Ohio, surrounded by loving family. He was born September 14, 1955 in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Chaney High School in 1973. Doug graduated from Youngstown State University where he earned a degree in telecommunications. He worked at Woodside Receiving Hospital in Youngstown as an Activity Therapist. In 2001, he relocated to Canton and worked as an IT Specialist at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare until his retirement in 2011. In retirement, he worked at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church as the AV Specialist. He was the Site Coordinator, Jackson Township, for Meals on Wheels, NE Ohio. Doug’s passion was the performing arts. He was equally comfortable as cast or crew, having directed, musical directed and performed in many theaters in Ohio. He did plays at Chaney High School, Youngstown State University, The Youngstown Playhouse, Trumbull New Theater, Carnation City Players, Players Guild, Little Theater of Tuscarawas and Tusky Valley High School. He also enjoyed directing children’s theater. His beautiful voice was enjoyed by many both nationally and internationally. A highlight was when he sang with the Singers Company in Spain. He also enjoyed his time with VOCI. He was very active in his church choir, bell choir and praise band. He was preceded in death by his parents Rita (Rauch) Downie and Douglas Downie, Sr. of Youngstown. He leaves his loving wife Lori (Caspary) Downie; son, Scott Downie of Austintown; Daughter Sarah Downie of Canton; sister Janice (Ed) Szari of Canfield; brother Keith Downie of Youngstown; brother Paul Downie of Youngstown; sister Barbara (Robert) Friedman of Powell; in-laws Kathleen (Larry) Hughes of Austintown, Richard (Lois) Caspary of Leavittsburg, Judith (Robert) Byrne of Austintown and thirty-one nieces and nephews. A genuine, caring and giving person, he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Services will be held on Sunday, January 13 at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church in Canton Ohio. Family will receive visitors from 1:30 - 3:30 with a Celebration of Life to follow. Donations in honor of Doug may be made to St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church (the Douglas Downie, Jr. Memorial Music Fund).