Roland J. Down

Roland J. Down, age 86, of Pineville, NC passed away on January 17, 2015. After a long illness, Roland passed away at his home, The Laurels, with family and friends at his bedside into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father, The Lord Jesus Christ. The family wishes to thank the wonderful Hospice caregivers for their service. Roland was born in Schenectady, NY on May 11, 1928, the oldest son born to Edwin James Down and Marion Stevens Down. He served in the United States Marine Corps, at the end of World War II and was honorably discharged. In 1952 he founded Roland J. Down, Inc. in Scotia, NY, a heating and cooling company which he ran for 43 years before retiring in 1992. Upon retirement, he resided in Hilton Head, SC and later moved to Sarasota, FL., then to Charlotte, NC. Roland was married to Lois Heidelmark Down for 38 years. They divorced and in 1993 he married Barbara Matchett. Roland attended Calvary Church in Charlotte. Survivors include his daughters Cindy Down-Taylor (Greg) of Mint Hill, NC; Pamela Down of Glenville, NY; Penny DeLoreto (Tom) of Wrightsville Beach, NC; Candy Ahlquist (Dale) of W. Charlton, NY; sons Ken Down (Antonia) of Canton, GA and Randy Down (Rebekah) of Indian Trail, NC; Roland has 13 grandchildren (Sarah, Craig, Christian, Britt, Quinn, Nick, Julian, Jordan, Andrew, Joel, Josiah, Jaden, and Faith) and a brother, Clifford Down of Clifton Park, NY. Roland is preceded by his wife, Barbara Down, the mother of his children, Lois Down, his parents, Edwin and Marion Down, his brother, John Down, his sister, Norma Down, and his new-born daughter, Faith Down. Both the visitation and memorial service will be held in the small chapel of Calvary Church at 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 on Saturday, January 24, 2015. The visitation is from 1:00-2:30 pm and the memorial service begins at 3:00 pm. The interment will be handled by Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home with the burial at Magnolia Memorial Gardens of Calvary Church, immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Roland's memory to The Roland James Down Memorial Fund, c/o Cranford, Buckley, Schultze, Tomchin, Allen & Buie, PA., 7257 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Roland J. Down

May 11, 1928 - January 17, 2015