Jack Downing was a boon to Shelburne and beyond

January 22, 2014 · 0 Comments

Jack Downing, a longtime supporter of the arts in Dufferin County and Toronto, as well as an active promoter of community improvements in Shelburne, died peacefully on Jan. 17, 2014, at Headwaters Health Care Centre. He was 93.

Known as “a jack of all trades and a master of many,” Mr. Downing had been a successful sales promoter of industrial products prior to his retirement, and also a wonderful caring husband, a writer, artist, singer, inventor, poet, pilot, and writer of mystery novels and poetry.

He was instrumental in the founding of an arts and letters council along with the Shelburne Arts Council at the onetime successful Schoolhouse Studio in Shelburne and continued his active participation in the arts when those were transformed into what is now the firmly established Dufferin Arts Council, of which he was a founding member.

Doreen Riggin recalls speaking to Mr. Downing at the Dufferin County Museum, where he was a member, a week or so ago. “He was there to tune the piano,” she said.

Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson, who has served town council for 26 years, remembers that Mr. Downing figured prominently in the obtaining of provincial grants for the massive renovations of the town hall in 1994 and fundraising for the library improvements during the years of the provincial governments of Bob Rae’s NDP and David Peterson’s Liberals.

And, just as impressively or perhaps more so, that Mr. Downing in about 1998 had asked him as mayor why the town wouldn’t purchase the “eyesore” shuttered former Gulf service station (by then owned by Petro Canada) across the street and create a downtown park.

“It was at a time when the (PC) government of Mike Harris had withdrawn $750,000 of provincial grants and the MTO wanted $30,000 for maintaining (the connecting link). We were strapped for cash; had let the bylaw officers and dog catcher go, and handed the duties to the police. Jack Downing said he would raise the funds if we could arrange to buy the property.

“We were able to buy it for $45,000. Jack raised about $80,000 (through fundraisers, volunteer student labour to create the park, and donors’ name inscriptions on the park benches),” he said.

The little park, now used for a wide variety of events including occasional worship services but regularly just for relaxing downtown, has been viewed by visiting heritage committees as a marvelous and enviable addition to the downtown, the mayor said.

The credit for the park belongs to Mr. Downing, whose name it shall bear in perpetuity.

Mr. Downing is survived by Evelyn, his wife and companion of 70 years, and a brother, Bill (Eria) of Scarborough, as well as nieces and nephews and special friends Stewart, Marilyn, Charles and David Wright. He was a wonderful friend to many in Dufferin County, Toronto and beyond.

He was awarded citizen of the year for his efforts. Jack was a member of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. Jack and his wife Evelyn were founding members of the Dufferin Arts Council, and members of the Probus Club of Orangeville.

“Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Jack’s life will be held at a later date closer to the spring. Notice will be given. In lieu of flowers we kindly suggest donations to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation or to the Shelburne Library.

“Donations and your expressions of support, stories and memories can be shared with Evelyn through Dods and McNair Funeral Home, Orangeville. www.dodsandmcnair.com,” the funeral home’s website says.

Friend “Marilyn” posted one of Mr. Downing’s poems on the website:

“If I should pass away by noon tomorrow/ or at any other time when least expected/ I hope there may be just a little sorrow/ but ask that any anguish be rejected/ For I have shared my time with wonderous friends; the good times and the not-so-good together/ I’ve tried to do the best I could whatever, but all that has beginnings must have ends/ So have a little party when I pass; perhaps recall some moments that you treasure/ Read a poem or two if that will give you pleasure/ then put my ashes in a single malt/ and pour it on some grass.”

By Wes Keller