PEOPLE - BEREAVEMENTS

Derek Paul Downey

Notice | Funeral Arrangements

The University has learnt with the utmost regret of the death of Derek Downey on Monday 27 October 2008. Derek was a very popular and talented 2nd Year Contemporary History Student in the School of Historical Studies. He was very committed to his work and research, as shown by his successful funding application for research on the Battle of the Somme in France and Belgium, and in the voluntary work that he undertook for the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust Studies. He was a keen historian with ambitions to attain a high class degree and continue his studies with postgraduate research.

Derek was 37 years old; he had served in the Army for 12 years with postings in Northern Ireland, Germany, Brunei and Great Britain alongside deployments to Norway, Denmark, Spain, Bosnia and Croatia. He then joined the Police and served in Londonderry for six years.

Derek’s popularity and commitment were demonstrated in his election to the Staff-Student Committee by his fellow students. His contribution to the activities of the School and University was outstanding, and staff and students alike mourn a great loss. The Welfare Service is offering support to fellow students.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 11th November 2008

There will be a short family service which will take place at 12.45pm at Gilros Crematorium, Leicester. Please click here for more information .

Derek's cremation will be followed by a Memorial Service at St. James the Greater Church, London Road, Leicester which will start at 1.30pm. Please click here for more information .

Derek's family welcome everyone who knew him to come along to the Memorial Service. Friends are being invited to make short contribution within the Service.

The Mature Students' Association has also opened a 'Memories Book' - if you would like to contribute to this you can do so through the MSPG Common Room in the Students' Union or via the Welfare Service.

There are family flowers only - with donations going to the 'Stanley Burton Holocaust Centre' - University of Leicester. The department will then set up the 'Derek Downey Memorial Prize for the best undergraduate dissertation in Holocaust (and related) studies' and add a plaque with Derek's name and dates to the board of plaques for donators to the Centre.

After the Memorial Service we will be serving refreshments in the Gatehouse - which is our Chaplaincy building located opposite Entrance 2 (Mayor's Walk) on University Road. Everyone is welcome to join us there - anyone unable to attend the Service should feel free to come along to the Gatehouse.

If anyone has any queries over these arrangements they are welcome to contact the Welfare Service or Isabelle Hamley, our Co-ordinating Chaplain.