Batavia native Duane A. Downey was laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery during a Military Memorial Service after being escorted by the Patriot Guard, the 1776 Riders and his grandson Derek.
Downey passed away after a fire at his residence in Bethlehem, Georgia in March 2019.
The two-time Purple Heart recipient survived being blown up by a couple of grenades and being shot multiple times in the Vietnam War according to an article in the Gwinnett Daily Post.
At the Military Memorial Service on Saturday afternoon, his family was presented with a flag in his honor.
Obituary
Duane Arthur Downey age 71 of Bethlehem, passed away Monday, March 18, 2019. He was a native of Batavia, NY.
Duane served in the US Army Airborne during The Vietnam War earning many awards including two Bronze Stars and 2 Purple Hearts. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in photography from, Rochester School of Technology and worked for The KodaK Company for many years.
Duane was a member of The VFW in Ft. Myers, FL and Batavia, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Paul and Bertha Lena Hale Downey. Duane is survived by three daughters, Penny Hofert of Batavia, NY, Robyn Burgio of Ashburn, VA and Vickie Downey of Watkinsville, GA; a brother, James Downey (Laurie) of Rochester, NY; three sisters, Brenda Prince (Jim) of Byron, NY, Barb Cipra (Bob) of Batavia, NY and Sandy Becker of Bergen, NY; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Several nieces and nephews also survive.