Peter W. Downey ’65 died on May 3, 2020 in Bangor, Maine.      

(The following appeared in the Bangor Daily News on May 7, 2020)

Peter Wheeler Downey, 76, died peacefully at home on May 3, 2020. He was born in Portland on September 29, 1943, the son of Frank Leo Downey, Jr. and Sallie Wheeler Downey.

Peter attended Bangor schools and graduated from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts in 1961. He spent joyful summers at Camp Timanous in Raymond. In 1965, he received an undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College. After serving in the Coast Guard from 1966 until 1970, he earned a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Maine.

Peter owned and managed residential and commercial properties in Bangor, Brewer, and Winterport. He enjoyed spending time on and off boats at his business, Winterport Marine, on Penobscot Bay. He spent the winter months at “Windy Point” in Nokomis, Florida. There, he delighted in the water views, cloud formations, and boat traffic and was able to indulge himself by working outside in fine weather.
Peter’s eclectic interests included statistics, American architecture, antique clocks, and Nordic noir. Friends and family remember Peter as an unpretentious and forthright man who quietly backed their endeavors.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta Eileen Downey; daughter, Elizabeth Wheeler Downey; sister, Sallie Tucker Jones of Washougal, Washington. He was predeceased by his sister, Robin Wheeler Tarbell; and two brothers, Alexander Frost Tarbell, and Gridley Weatherbee Tarbell II.

Peter’s family is especially grateful to Dr. David Koffman, Dr. Katherine Chodkiewicz, and Beacon Hospice for their support.