John Alexander Downey, III

John Alexander Downey III

John died peacefully on July 14, 2025, at the age of 81, at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia. He was born on September 17, 1943, to John Alexander Downey II and Dorothea Zertler Downey in St. Paul, MN.  John was a graduate of Holy Spirit grade school, St. Thomas Academy, and the University of St. Thomas. John lived most of his life in St. Paul, MN and worked for almost five decades in the hospitality industry in Minneapolis, first at Eddie Websters in Bloomington and Des Moines, IA and then as a CCM at Wayzata Country Club, The Marsh and Bearpath Golf & Country Club in Eden Prairie, MN.  He was an integral part of the community which he held close to his heart. He and his beloved wife, Nancy, of almost 58 years moved to Leesburg, Virginia in 2011 to be close to their two daughters, their husbands and six grandchildren.

John is remembered for his deep Minnesota roots, his wonderful sense of humor and his caring and compassionate heart. John did missionary work in Guatemala with St. Patrick's Parish and prison ministry in the women's prison in Shakopee and the federal prison in Rochester.  He spent many years as a youth group leader at St. Stans in St. Paul and was committed and involved with the Visitation Sisters in North Minneapolis.  John was a devoted, loyal and lifelong friend to many, including his grade school, high school and college friends and his Cursillo brothers, who met weekly for over 40 years.  After retirement, John traveled to 39 countries and spent many winters in the Dominican Republic. He loved golf, bowling, backgammon, hiking, singing and after retirement, acting.  At his retirement community, Lansdowne Woods, he portrayed many, including George Gershwin, Ronald Reagan, the wizard from Oz, a crazy minister, and best of all .... a fruit fly!  John was passionate about his family and his grandchildren. He rarely missed any of their tennis, baseball, rugby, volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, football or basketball games. He was their biggest fan!

John will be sorely missed by his wife, Nancy, and his daughter, Meaghan Kolebuck, and his son-in-law, Paul Kolebuck, and their children, Andrew, James and Caroline and his daughter, Elizabeth Milone, and his son-in-law, Richard Milone, and their children Jack, Luke and Michael. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothea Russell and her husband, Bob Miller, and his brother Christopher Downey and his wife, Jeannie Shapiro Downey, and many loving nieces and nephews.  

A visitation will be held 4-7pm, Thursday August 7 at O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home, 575 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30am Friday, August 8 at the Church of St. Stanislaus, 398 W. Superior St., St. Paul. Burial Calvary Cemetery. Please click here for a recording of the mass. 

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