10/06/2026
The Heights Players is deeply saddened by the death of one of its longest-tenured members, John M. Downing, which occurred on Sunday, October 4, 2026. He was 90.
Born in 1936 to Lawrence and Alice Downing, the Brooklyn native graduated from St. Francis Prep, received a degree in Business Administration from St. Francis College, and then pursued an education in the legal field at St. John's and NYU School of Law. He joined The Heights Players in 1963, playing Floyd Allen in "Dark of the Moon." His professional career saw him drawing up contracts in the Law Department of the Port Authority, before joining the firm Reilly & Reilly in 1965. Four years later, he branched off on his own, and founded John M. Downing & Associates, which operates today as Downing & Peck, PC.
While his tenacity and aptitude in the courtroom were well known in the legal community, hundreds more were witness to his command of the stage. At the Heights, his credits included "The Ritz," "The Royal Family," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Inherit the Wind," "Murder on the Nile," "Towards Zero," "I Remember Mama," "Funny Girl," and "42nd Street." His last mainstage appearance was as a political crony in "Fiorello!"
Elsewhere, he was a proud supporter of The Bay Street Theatre of Sag Harbor. Beyond his acting, Downing was a vital force for us at the operational level, contributing generously to the Heights both financially and with his invaluable legal counsel and services.
We were delighted to count John among the honorees at our 2022 gala, "We're Still Here," which saluted him and three other legendary members of our community.
We extend our sympathies to Marguerite, John Jr., Alison, and Patrick, daughter-in-law Tara, his nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Av., from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, and a mass of Christian burial will be held at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Av., at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8.
