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2024/02/25 - Antioch, Illinois, AEB

Dennis Michael Two-Spears Mayaagaabow Downes. Born May 16, 1951 in Chicago, IL to parents Mary Berriochoa and Mathew Downes. Leaving his wife, Gail Spreen-Downes, sister Maryann and brothers Louis, Harrold, and Patrick, numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, Dennis passed away February 25th 2024, peacefully in his sleep. Love of his life and wife of 23 years Gail Spreen-Downes was beside him in his home overlooking Channel Lake in Antioch IL with his treasured nature an arm's length away and bald eagles flying overhead.

Dennis was a husband, brother, cousin, uncle, friend, and inspiration to many. An award-winning artist & author, a hunter, sculptor, actor, lecturer, boat enthusiast, architect of Barbarian Shelter/Studio North on a remote island in the Wilderness Coast of Ontario Canada, authenticator and educator of the Native American Trail Marker Trees across North America, his legacy is immeasurable. He was often recognized for his artistic accomplishments; sales of his artwork funded his field research, resulting in the publication of his book, Native American Trail Marker Trees; Marking the Paths Through the Wilderness, foreword by Janet Davies, 2011.

Recognized Nationally by the Daughters of the American Revolution with an honorarium for an 18-minute presentation to the American Indian Committee documenting the past 100 years and proving the DAR's involvement with helping to save the Trail Marker Trees. He is the recipient of countless accolades, awards and proclamations with the most recent from The Explorers Club of New York who are also going to start the "Dennis Downes American Wilderness Grant".

A long-standing member of the Blackhawk Chapter of the Antique Boat Society, he proudly owned and lovingly restored two wood boats, "The Phantom Chief" and "Thundercloud." He considered them ongoing art projects in yet another medium.
Conducting countless presentations including Navy Pier Chicago IL Gala of the Arts, Dennis often paid homage to Captain George Wellington "Cap" Streeter, Streeterville's namesake. His 8-foot bronze sculpture located on the corner of McClurg Ct. and Grand Ave. in the heart of the Streeterville neighborhood was commissioned by Golub & Co, sculpted by Dennis to commemorate the historical significance of Cap Streeter for all time. Dennis and Gail produced the documentary film "The History of South Streeterville" which premiered in 2022 and will be kept with the Chicago History Museum.

After the Lake County Discovery Museum was home to his 16-foot Trail Marker Tree for several years, the sculpture was permanently installed at The Grove in Glenview IL. In his early twenties, Dennis resided at The Grove before it was turned into a landmark. How amazing that decades later he would be honored to present his body of work at such a special and formative place. Each year Dennis contributed part of the proceeds of his Grove Solo Show back to The Grove to help continue its preservation. He held 20 three-day solo shows, including his 150th Anniversary Public Show at The Grove from 2000 to 2022.

In 2009 for the third year in a row he was honored to receive the award for his artwork at the Festival of the Master's a national competition hosted by Amdur Productions. In 2010 his sculpture "Trail Marker Tree" was accepted into the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibition in Chicago IL receiving an honorarium. His own original high relief paper making technique was featured on HGTV, his Dog Pony pieces are a part of the series that was created for the show "That's Clever" that aired nationally.

There were countless interviews from WGN/Rich King, ABC 7, Fox 32 News teams, Chicago Tonight with Geoffrey Baer, book signings & lectures throughout the USA.

In 2013 Dennis and several of his paintings had cameos in the film "23 Blast" which won the Audience Choice Award at the Heartland Film Festival and was produced by Gary Donatelli.

Dennis was an inspiration to his lifelong friend & author James Pomerantz, who used Dennis' portrait for the cover of his novel Ghost Bandit.

"Tree Hunter: Portrait of an American Artist" the Documentary on Dennis Produced by Director Lesley Topping and Co-Produced by another close lifelong friend, Gary Donatelli is nearing completion and release.
Dennis resided in Antioch IL from 1985-2024.

Antioch IL Main Street is now home to his 6-foot bronze Trail Marker Tree sculpture. An Installation and Dedication was held in 2018. The Antioch Garden Club designed and maintains the landscaping surrounding the sculpture. A stewardship of care and enduring legacy of Dennis' work.

He was Keynote speaker at the Native American Artisan Craft Fair-a 3 day event honoring Native American Heritage Month. Numerous native tribes of the Great Lakes Region participated.

Most recently Dennis and Gail traveled to the Basque Country in northern Spain as he has always celebrated his Basque heritage from his mother's side of the family (Berriochoa). Dennis' ancestor was Saint Valentin-Berrio-Ochoa Born 2/14/1827 Beheaded in Vietnam for refusing to renounce Jesus- died 11/1/1861 Canonized 1988 by Pope John Paul II. Dennis was treated like royalty in the town of Elorrio, where St. Valentin was from, during a dedication held for the installation of Dennis' high relief bronze of St. Valentin in the Basque Museum in Boise Idaho.

In August 2016- An Ojibew Elder bestowed upon Dennis his Indian name "Mayaagaabaw" translation: He Stands Foremost Amongst Others. Truly encapsulating all that is Dennis Downes

Although Dennis was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2016, he always persevered through adversity and never complained. Through his many treatments he continued his work, lectures and events, never flagging or even considering slowing down until his stroke in January 2024. He lived with dignity and purpose as his North Star.

Dennis will always be remembered for being "The Trail Marker Tree Guy" as he brought the history of the Trail Marker Trees to the forefront ensuring this important piece of Native American history will never be forgotten.

One of Dennis favorite sayings that he wrote on a white paper plate and hung on his swinging door reads, "Don't be afraid of doing something, be afraid of never doing anything"~2014

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2nd 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home - 1787 Deerfield Road, Highland Park, IL 60035. A memorial service will follow, starting at 5:00 PM at Kelley and Spalding Funeral Home.

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