William John Downey

Bill Downey Loved to tell Jokes and Stories. Whether it was to his family, his cousins, his friends, his children’s friends, or his many coffee group friends over the years. His greatest joy was making others laugh, no matter the subject, he could always have a joke ready to make you smile.

We are extremely saddened to announce that he told his last jokes and stories on Thursday June 5th, 2025. Even with pneumonia deeply affecting his breathing, he still held court in his hospital bed and entertained the staff that looked after him, those that visited him, and ultimately his family. It is bittersweet, but we were all so lucky to be able to hear those last few jokes and say our final goodbye’s. We are so happy and blessed that he was able still make others laugh, even with his final breaths. It is exactly what he wanted.

William Downey was the son of Bernice and William Downey. Born in Toronto and then moving up to North Bay for the remainder of his childhood and young adult life. Of his many accomplishments during his Ime in North Bay, he was a beloved Boy Scout troop master, as well as a volunteer with the NORAD Emergency Services. He also spent years as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the North Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

He studied and worked as a draftsman at Ontario Hydro where he met the love of his life Sylvia. They were inseparable after that. Their love only grew more and more each day. He then fell in love with Sylvia’s family and then extended family. They married and moved to Peterborough where he worked for General Electric as a Nuclear draftsman and raised his own family. He was an immensely proud grandfather of three amazing young men: Miller, Mitchell and Jacob.

Bill also loved immensely his “Sisters” Marlene “McGlynn” Brown and Joan Short. They were his partners in crime for his whole life. He then also fell in love with their spouses, as well as their families.

He retired and then volunteered at Civic Hospital, was a sides person at numerous Anglican churches. He was a trustee at the Peterborough naval club and continued to volunteer at the OPP, all while being an avid Ham radio enthusiast.

So, to everyone who bent an ear and shared a laugh, Thank you. You made his dark days brighter, and his great days even better. He will be sadly missed by his Family and friends. Hopefully he has gotten past Saint Peters gate and not still trying to tell one more joke before entering heaven.

Celebration of Life service will be held at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 pm, with a reception to follow. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.comstockkaye.com