Edward J. Downey

Malden - Edward J. Downey died peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at Winchester Hospital. He was 71 years young.

Ed was born on June 22,1955 in Boston at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, the son of the late Edward J. and Helen (Murphy) Downey. Raised in Brighton, he was a graduate of St. Columbkille’s High School. He continued his education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree and later earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Northeastern University.

He married Brookline native Judith A. Baker on July 24, 1983 at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Brookline, and together they made Malden their home for more than 43 years. Theirs was a marriage rooted in love, friendship and devotion, with Ed and Judi truly sharing life as partners and best friends throughout the years.

Ed enjoyed a successful career, first in the healthcare industry as a Finance Director, where he spent several years working with Visiting Nurses Associations across Massachusetts, and later he excelled as the Chief Financial Officer at Pope John XXIII High School in Everett.

He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed old movies, playing pool and participating in challenging chess games. He liked to travel, especially to Walt Disney World in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. He joined the Disney Vacation Club, which made it possible for him to share these trips with family and friends. This brought him great joy. He also enjoyed going to New Hampshire, Maine and Cape Cod and traveling to Alaska, England and Ireland. An avid New England Patriots fan, he was a longtime season ticket holder.

Ed never met a pizza or submarine sandwich he didn’t like. His favorite desserts were Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

In addition to his wife, Judi, he leaves his sister, sister-in-law, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his stepbrother.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Ed’s life by gathering for visitation in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham, on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a program celebrating his life at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to SCI Boston (Spinal Cord Institute), 2 Rehabilitation Way, Woburn, MA 01801 or https://www.sciboston.org/ or Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Avenue, Winchester, MA 01890 or https://winchesterhospital.org/giving