AUBURN – Franklin Porter Downing, 87, a resident of 32 Harrison Circle, died peacefully Wednesday morning, March 30, at his residence following a brief illness.

He was a 10th generation descendent of Emmanuel Downing of Ipswich Eng., and great-great-grandson of John Downing who settled in Auburn in the mid-1700s and whose Downing Shoe Shop still stands along the Great Falls walkway. He was born in Lewiston, Sept. 12, 1917, the son of Arthur and Cleora (Churchill) Downing.

He was a lifelong resident of Auburn, was a graduate of Edward Little High School Class of 1938, and was a decorated Army Veteran of World War II.

He married the former Lucile Hayden in 1947. He was a member of Odd Fellows, Stevens Mills Grange, as well as a longtime volunteer with Auburn Suburban Little League. During his career, he was employed as a gate tender for Maine Central Railroad then following retirement worked for both the Auburn School Department and the former C.M.V.T.I. He spent his later years puttering around the family households.

Survivors include one son, Jeffrey Downing and his wife, Jeanette, of Auburn; one daughter, Linda Downing also of Auburn; one twin brother, Frederick W., of Hallowell; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jay, Joel, Jonathan, and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Emma, and Evan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Lucile, in 2004; two brothers, Paul M., in 2002, and Roland S., in 1991.