Coast Guard Legend Jack Downey Retires After 41 Years

by Alan Pollock

            CHATHAM — A local lifesaving icon, and the man credited with restoring Chatham’s confidence in the Coast Guard in the late 1980s, has retired after 41 years in the service.  Master Chief Petty Officer Jack Downey retired Friday as the two-star admiral in charge of the First Coast Guard District.

            Downey spent the last two years on the district’s command staff, but spent most of his career in small boat stations in places like Point Judith, R.I., Nantucket and Chatham.  It was at Station Point Judith, near Downey’s home, where several hundred people gathered Friday to wish him well in retirement.  Among them was the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.

            When Downey took over at Station Chatham in 1988, relations between the Coast Guard and the community were strained.  Harbormaster Stuart Smith recalls the change that took place when Downey became the officer in charge.

            “It was night in day.  He was a hands-on, non-nonsense type of person,” Smith said.  His honest approach and distinct sense of humor helped Downey make friends.

            “He had the look and the feel of an old salt,” Smith said.  And whether it was a commercial fisherman, a recreational boater or the town’s staff, Downey was willing to lend a hand.  Smith recalls the Halloween storm, when Downey directed his crew to help in any way they could, going out in the teeth of the storm to intercept boats that had parted their mooring lines.  The station’s crew even helped direct traffic during the chaotic days after the storm.  Actions like that helped restore the community’s bond with the Coast Guard, Smith said.

            “He rescued this station from a disaster, and then he went on to rescue Nantucket,” longtime fisherman Chris Davis said.  In Davis’ view, Downey was successful because of his clear logic, and his ability to put common sense above everything else, including military bureaucracy.  “He dealt with the young men and women in the Coast Guard in such a straightforward, no-bull way, that they just developed an instant respect for him.  And it was the same with the fleet,” Davis said.

            “Fishermen are independent and just don’t want to deal with a lot of baloney.  But he never gave us any,” Davis added.

            Downey came to Station Chatham as a senior chief boatswain’s mate, and left in May, 1993, for another assignment.  All of his Coast Guard career was spent in the Northeast.  Downey grew up in Narragansett, R.I., in the house next door to the Coast Guard station.  As a child, he used to watch search and rescue drills and play in the station’s boathouse, and decided at a young age to sign up.  It was there, at Station Point Judith, that Downey saved his first life—that of a fisherman in distress.

            Downey married his wife, Judith, when he was 20.  Early in his career, they decided together that they would do what was best for their children when it came time for him to transfer to a new unit.  So rather than making their five children switch schools every few years, the couple agreed to live several hours apart for many years. 

            “When he was home, it was more about the quality of the time than the quantity,” Mrs. Downey said.  Her husband made his best effort not to miss softball games or school events.  In December, the two celebrated 40 years together.

            “I don’t know what I’m going to do when he’s home all the time,” she quipped. 

            “Now I’m going to do the things I haven’t found the time—or made the time—to do,” Downey said.  But saying goodbye to his shipmates will be difficult.  “I’ll miss the camaraderie,” he said.  “I’ll miss the fantastic feelings I get when I see people accomplish great things.”

            Downey earned many distinctions, but was particularly proud to receive the Coast Guard’s first and only Joshua James Keeper Award, honoring his skill as a professional lifesaver.  The award comes with the Coast Guard title, “Ancient Keeper,” given to the member who displays outstanding performance and longevity in service at small boat units.

            When Downey handed off command of Station Chatham in 1993, local fisherman Willard “Nick” Nickerson hired an airplane to tow a banner overhead during the ceremony, reading “Thanks, Jack!”   On behalf of the local fishing fleet, Davis presented Downey with the first and only “You Gotta Site” award, entitling him to a job on any local fishing boat, should he change careers.  Davis said the offer still stands today.

            “You never know.  He’s retiring now and maybe he’ll come back,” he said with a laugh.

7/3/08