JAY DAVID DOWNEY December 11, 1937- August 17, 2017 Jay Downey passed away after battling many health challenges these past few years. Beloved husband of Sylvia, the father of Gina (Rodney) De Vos and Tanya (Thomas) Piekarski, papa Jay to Colton (Alicia Hoffman) De Vos and great grandpa to Desmond De Vos. Brother to Dale (Lee), Lynn Hindle, Barbara (Wally) Sumner, Tom (Ann), and Maria (Tom) Dunn. Uncle to Lara, Aimee, Tim, Chris, Jonathan, Lindsay, Eva, Brian, Bryce, and Fiona. Great uncle to Brandi, Jeffrey, Mia, Xavier, Isla, Jared, and Tristan. Jay was predeceased by his parents Dr. Joe and Leleane (Hemphill) Downey and brother-in-law Bill Hindle. Jay graduated from Kelvin High School. He was a member of the DKE fraternity. In his early years, Jay enjoyed time at the Downey family cottage at Coney Island in Kenora and in the later years with Sylvia at their own place at Lake Manitoba. Jay was a salesman moving to the USA with Sylvia and family and returned to Winnipeg in 1980. Jay was a pro armchair sports fan, loved reading pocket books, and having coffee with friends. Jay was an avid bridge player, taking part in various bridge clubs. Over the last years, he also enjoyed time at the Fort Rouge Leisure Centre seniors bridge and the Simkin Centre senior's day program. Jay also travelled a number of winters to the Victoria, BC area, visiting with his daughter and son in law and playing bridge in several clubs there. The family wishes to thank the care from Dr. Permack, good friend Dorothy Rudd, all the Handi Transit drivers he encountered, home care workers, and finally the staff of Riverview Health Centre 3E Palliative Care Unit. A Celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday August 22, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at the Mosaic Event Centre, 1006 Nairn Ave. Winnipeg, MB. Flowers kindly declined if you so wish donations to Riverview Health Centre Foundation appreciated. For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log onto www.mosaicfunerals.ca 1839 Inkster Blvd. 1006 Nairn Ave. 204-275-5555
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 19, 2017