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Celebrating the life of Jack Downing (1920–2014) On April 12th, Jack Downing's dear friend of 30 years, retired minister and Canadian historian, Chris Raible, organized a celebration of Jack's life. Gathered at the Dufferin County Museum & Archives, friends, family, colleagues, business associates, fellow artists and writers exchanged memorable stories, shared laughter, and comforted each other with the living memory of their dear friend now gone but not forgotten. For the younger generation and those who missed the opportunity to know and appreciate a character who was larger than life, it is helpful to know Jack Downing had a vision for the town of Shelburne and when he came up with a plan to purchase the vacant land across from town hall in 1998, a former Petro Canada gas station that had closed and become a sore spot on Main St., and nothing could deter him. Raising $33,692, to purchase the land and approximately $52,900 to convert the land into a park, it seems only fitting in celebrating the 150th year since William Jelly founded Shelburne, that a statue of our founder will be erected in the Jack Downing Park. The statue will be unveiled during the Heritage and Street Festival in June, 2014. “We in Shelburne have been blessed by the life of Jack Downing. His death diminishes us, but the endeavors of his life have enriched our lives and his legacy is found in the works that he has wrought. Every time someone spends a peaceful moment on a bench in the park that bears his name or shares in the joy of an evening concert in the park, every time someone takes a whimsical trip that starts at the public Library, Jack's spirit will be present,” Mayor Ed Crewson commented. “Jack is one of Shelburne's heroes; his service to our community inspires us and his works testify to his faith; and his faith in us, to meet the challenges of the future by working together.” Jack Downing will always be remembered for his contributions to Shelburne, which includes starting the Dufferin Arts Council. For those who knew him best, Downing will be remembered for his ability to play practical jokes, flying planes that crashed on occasion, hunting and getting lost hunting, driving his favorite car, bringing his country dog to the Eaton's Centre and sharing the elevator with a woman who wore a fox stole which the country dog immediately noticed, and the hysteria which followed ending in mishap for the stole as soon as the elevator doors opened, walking down the spiral staircase at the Dufferin County Museum wearing a tutu, and of course his wonderful works of writing, and wondrous appreciation for the living of life. Bill Downing, seven years Jack's junior, recounted even though he luckily wasn't seriously injured as a young boy, his brother Jack accidentally shot him right between the eyes. He remembered watching Jack during a hunting trip, throw a handful of empty gun shells into the fire where everyone had gathered, just to see them run. Prankster! “Being seven years apart, it was as adults during those hunting trips that I really got to know my older brother. I don't know that we ever shot anything, but we tried!” Bill Downing fondly reminisced. And the occasion was indeed a celebration even during somber moments just as Raible had planned in tribute to his dear friend, husband, brother, friend and colleague, the man larger than life and a Shelburne hero, Jack Downing. By Alex Sher  Retired Minister and Canadian Historian, Chris Raible reads from his dear friend's book, Jack Downing's Curiouser and Curiouser during a celebration ceremony in remembrance of Jack Downing's life held at the Dufferin County Museum on April 12th.    
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Post date: 2014-04-16 16:39:44 Post date GMT: 2014-04-16 20:39:44 Post modified date: 2014-04-23 13:16:49 Post modified date GMT: 2014-04-23 17:16:49 |
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