Shawn Patrick Downey, 69, was welcomed into the Catholic faith on Tuesday May 19, 2026, and was called home to God on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 related to complications of a stroke suffered in August 2020.  Shawn was raised in Ardmore, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) and moved to Rochester, New York, when he was 10 years old. He attended Rochester City Schools, including School Without Walls, and graduated from East High in 1974, where he was a member of the swim team.  He enjoyed learning to play several musical instruments and learned electrician skills. Shawn was a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, who viewed his greatest achievement as raising his two sons to be productive and caring people in this world who strive to do their best.  They in turn encouraged him to take better care of himself and supported him during his 5 year convalescence.  Shawn’s identical twin brother, John Thomas Downey, passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 69, so as they lived concurrent lives, often showing up at the same place to buy the exact same pair of pants without talking to each other, and “always” finishing each other’s sentences, the two of them died at the same age.  

Shawn attended Clarkson University, Syracuse University, and is a graduate of SUNY Empire State University.  For 20 years, Shawn was the owner and proprietor of HO/RC Entertainment Exchange in Rochester, New York, and in semi-retirement worked as a licensed security guard for Securitas Security Services USA in Rochester, NY.  Shawn authored via copyright a screenplay, entitled:  “Knocked Down”, which he pitched to Hollywood several times.  He never gave up and had big dreams!   

Shawn is survived by his loving wife, Joan Downey (nee: McCloskey); two sons, Kyle Downey and John Downey of Fairport, NY; mother, Patricia Gelser Davis of Chili, NY,; sister, Susan Sinclair of Rochester, NY;  aunt, Margaret (Peggy) Tintera;  sisters-in-law, Sherry Brearley-Downey, Kathy Forster  (Robbie), Mary Kiely (John), Theresa, Kennedy (Shaun); brother-in-law, Kevin McCloskey (Sara); nieces and nephews, Jessica Taddeo, Brent Brearley (Brittany), Iree Downey, Kenzie Forster-Garcia (Crystal), Eric McCloskey (Jenna), Kaitlyn McNees (Daniel), RJ Forster (Gabriella), Paige McCloskey, Katie Kiely, Jamie McCloskey, Tarin Kiely, Lincoln Kennedy; cousins, Bill Spalty (Lynn), Cory Spalty, and Michael Spalty, Edward Tintera Jr. (Mary), JB Tintera (Lisa), Joanne Mullin (John) and Margaret Reasoner.

Shawn was pre-deceased by his father, John T. Downey, of Philadelphia, PA, and his brother, John T. Downey, of Vestal, NY,; brothers-in-law Jay McCloskey (Danette) and William McCloskey (Kelly); awesome nephew, Jack Liam McCloskey; cousin ,Matt Reasoner (Margaret) and the kindest parents-in-law ever, Maureen and James McCloskey.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31 from 2-5 pm at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 South Washington St, East Rochester, NY 14445.  A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, 9:30 am at Church of the Assumption, 20 East Ave, Fairport, NY 14450. 

To support Shawn’s wishes, we are asking in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Pregnancy Counseling Center, 10211 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, California 91345, https://pregnanthelp4u.org/, and The Margaret Home, East Rochester, NY 14445, https://themargarethome.org/

“Thank you Lord for the gifts of perseverance and dogged resolution Shawn demonstrated and the time you allowed us to know and love him.”