Tributes to popular former landlord Jack
Jack Downes who has died aged 92
A MUCH loved former landlord has died aged 92.
Jack Downes, who ran a number of pubs including The Eagle, in Sicklesmere, died at St Joseph’s nursing home, in Sudbury, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
He was also heavily involved with a variety of sports clubs.
His son Gavin, who runs Gavin Ashley Hairdressing, in Bury St Edmunds, said his dad was always the centre of attention.
He said: “He was a larger than life character and everything he did he gave 100 per cent. He played the pub landlord right to the end and was always up for a party.
“Everybody in Sudbury knew him and he was an adorable man, who everyone loved.
“He had a wonderful presence and you knew when he entered the room.”
The 61-year-old added that Mr Downes, who was born in Macclesfield, had been a loving grandfather to his children, Rory and Clarice.
He had been part of the D-Day landings and had come to Suffolk after meeting his wife near the end of the war.
Mr Downes spent 35 years as a publican and retired from The Eagle in 1981.
His ashes are to be scattered on the graves of his wife and their first son, who died in an accident aged two and a half, at Edwardstone Church.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
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Thunderstorm
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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