Walter E. Downing

Springfield -Walter Elsworth Downing, passed away on May 26,2020 at Holyoke Medical Center with family by his side. Born in Ware, he was a son of the late Omar and Mabel (Richardson) Downing and graduated from Ware High School. Walter was proud to serve his country in the United States Army and continued his military career as a Radar Technician for over twenty years, working in Germany, Korea and Alaska. He was a voracious reader, and could be found at the Springfield Library with his nose in a book. One of Walter’s many talents was that he was a great conversationalist. He would make conversation with everyone he came in contact, making them feel important. Walter also enjoyed camping. He especially enjoyed camping with his cat in Granville every season for over twenty years. Walter is survived by his daughter Maureen Smith and her husband Harold of West Springfield, his step-daughter Lela Bennett and her husband Tom of Chicopee with whom Walter lived; his step-son Francis Asseline and his wife Marcia of Chicopee; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, Walter was predeceased by his brothers and sisters. Private services will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, at a later date. Colonial Forastiere Family Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. www.forastiere.com