The Downey family and the American transportation sector are both grieving over Mortimer Downey’s passing. How did he pass away?
Formerly known as Mortimer Downey, Mortimer L. Downey III was the longest-serving U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation and a well-known figure in the urban mass transportation sector.
After serving in the US Coast Guard Reserve, Downey attained the rank of lieutenant commander. From 1960 until 1974, Downey worked in a variety of capacities with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he started his career in transportation.
He was appointed as the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget’s first transportation program analyst.
Under President Jimmy Carter, he was the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at the Department of Transportation from 1977 to 1981.
After that, he accepted a position as executive director and chief financial officer of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where he was instrumental in developing and carrying out the organization’s capital plan and enhancing its financial stability.
For his services, Mortimer was recognized with many accolades, including the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive.
He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Transportation Association and the National Public Service Award from the National Academy of Public Administration.
How Did Urban Mass Transit Leader Mortimer Downey Die?
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Time Mortimer On October 31, 2023, Leo Downey III, the longest-serving U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation and a well-known figure in the urban mass transportation sector, died away at the age of 87.
According to his family, the Urban Mass Transit Leader passed away due to complications after a stroke. In Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 9, 1936, Downey was born.
In 1958, Downey earned a magna cum laude degree from Yale University, and in 1966, he obtained a master’s degree in public administration from New York University.
He was named U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and he served in that capacity until 2001.
He held the position for the longest time ever. He managed important projects including the modernization of aviation, the improvement of transportation security, the completion of the Interstate Highway System, and Amtrak reform.
Death of Mortimer Downey
Among those appointments was Mortimer L. Downey III, a nationally known expert in urban mass transportation, who passed away on November 2 at the age of 87. Source of Image: The Washington Post
During the first four days of the Bush administration, from January 21, 2001, to January 24, 2001, he also held the position of Acting Secretary of Transportation.
After leaving the government, Downey worked as a transportation consultant and was a member of many committees and boards that dealt with planning and policy for transportation.
He was a member of the Obama transition team and was being considered as a potential Obama Administration Secretary of Transportation.
For his knowledge, experience, and leadership in the transportation industry, Downey was well-regarded.
An Obituary for Mortimer L. Downey III: A Life Committed to Transportation
At the age of 87, Mortimer L. Downey, a devoted public servant recognized for his efforts to enhance transportation, died away.
His two kids, Stephen Michael Downey and Christopher Sean Downey, and his 62-year-old wife Joyce Vander Meyden Downey survive him.
Similarly, his sister-in-law Barbara Vander Meyden, nephew David Vander Meyden, grandkids Matthew, Katherine, Andrew, and Elizabeth Downey, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Downey were all heartbroken by his passing.
In a statement, the family acknowledged Mortimer as a great guy who loved spending time with his family and was dedicated to public service. They also expressed their sincere sadness and appreciation.
They expressed their gratitude to everyone for their support and sympathies during this trying period.
The family has asked that contributions be given to a number of organizations instead of sending flowers, such as the WMATA Mortimer L. Endowment Fund, the Yale University Mortimer L. Downey Fellowship, and the New York University Mortimer L. Downey Scholarship Fund.
These donations will preserve Mortimer Downey’s legacy and pay tribute to his commitment to bettering education and transportation.
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