DOWNS, Michael Timothy (Mike)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 06/04/2013 Michael Timothy Downs, 63, died gracefully of cancer in his home in Marquette, Mich., May 30, 2013. Mike grew up in Marinette, Wis., was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1970. He received a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin in 1973 and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan in 1975. Mike had a long and fruitful career as a clinical social worker in Michigan and Arizona. He retired from Pathways of Marquette, Mich., in 1999, then began a second career as the CEO of Little Colorado Behavioral Health Centers in Springerville, from which he retired in 2011. Mike is survived by his wife Nancy (Girard) Downs of Marquette, Mich.; three children: Paul Downs of Chicago, Ill., Lee Borzick of Tucson, Becky (Kyran) Walker of Eagar; grandchildren: Kyrie and Brenton Walker of Eagar; mother Elizabeth (Hudak) Downs of Marinette, Wis.; father and mother-in-law Duane and Bella Girard of Lake Linden, Mich.; brothers-in-law: Dan (June) Girard of Lake Linden, Mich., Dennis (Helen) Girard of Marquette, Mich., Mark (Kathryn) Girard of Iron Mountain, Mich.; sister-in-laws: Paulla (Dave) Hardy of Sitka, Ark., Wanda (Eric) Frimodig, Mary (Rob) Olszewski of Marietta, Ga., Beth (Martin) Clark of Negaunee, Mich., and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Jim Downs (1987) and father James Downs (1995). A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette, Mich., with Deacon Dennis Maki officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake Superior Hospice in Marquette, Mich. Memories of Mike may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com.