Robert Dennis Downes, 74, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly on January 10th, 2025. He was born in Dover, New Jersey on May 8th, 1950, a son of the late James and Beatrice Mosher Downes. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Jean Downes. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Alexander) Downes, children Jeff and Liz Downes, Stephanie (Donnie) Fazenbaker and Dana (Austin) Carr, brothers Harold (Nancy) Downes and Walter Downes, sisters Barbara (John) McLaughlin and Beatrice (Larry) Smith, grandchildren: Travis, Madison, Belle and Brooke; great-grandchildren Nikolai, Gary, Cooper and Kellan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Robert retired as a crew chief from American Airlines and also had worked for USAir. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in Vietnam. He was a member of  St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church of Rochester. He loved history and traveling to historical battlefields such as Gettysburg. However, aviation was his favorite hobby as he flew planes with his close friends in his spare time. He enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife, Barbara, as they visited numerous countries. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Friends will be received Thursday, January 16th from 2-6 P.M. at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church of Rochester. Interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park of Rochester. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 862 will provide full military honors at the cemetery.