Robert (Bob) Allen Downey

In Loving Memory of

Robert (Bob) Allen Downey

(May 26, 1948 – August 2, 2022)

Bob Downey of Coulter, MB passed away at the age of 74 surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the Deloraine Health Centre (Palliative Care).

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Betty of Coulter and his children Melanie (Mike) Snow of Saskatoon, SK; Brad (Brandy) Downey of Lethbridge, AB; and Kimberly (Russ) Lamothe of Dowling, ON; and grandchildren: Caden, Rogan, Quinn, Devin Snow; Colter, Ryder Downey; Lucas, Lexi, Nico Lamothe; brother Wayne (Marilyn) Downey of Rocky Mountain House, AB; along with many other family members and friends.

Bob was predeceased by his father and mother Arnold and Stella Downey of Coulter, and sisters Lorna Downey and Delores Kurtz.

Bob was born in Brandon, MB on May 26, 1948, the youngest child of Arnold and Stella Downey.  He was raised in Coulter, MB, enjoying a childhood running with a pack of Coulter boys.  He attended school in Coulter and then Waskada.  Bob enjoyed spending time at the pool hall rather than at school.  Bob left school to work as a farm labourer on a neighbouring farm, before working as a grader operator for the RM.  He switched jobs again in 1979, working for a short while with Nestibo Manufacturing, then drywalling with his cousin Bill Downey.  Finally, in 1984, he started painting with Robert Norman and continued this until his stroke in 2002 forced him to retire from painting.  He then worked as a seasonal mower for the RM until his second stroke in 2016. 

Bob loved auction sales and was thrilled to work alongside Stuart and Betty at Miller Auctions.  He was always on the look out for a bargain.  You had to be careful about expressing an interest in something, because he was sure to get it! 

In 1976, Bob met Betty Perreault from Binscarth, MB, who was a teacher in Melita.  They were married on August 20, 1977, in St. Lazare, MB.  They were blessed with twins, Melanie and Bradley on December 7, 1978, and a daughter, Kimberly, on February 17, 1984. 

In spite of his first stroke, Bob was able to attend all of his children’s weddings and hold each of his nine grandchildren.  He even travelled to Disney World, attended the Brier and World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatoon, and was able to see his Blue Jays live, multiple times.  Family was everything to Bob.  He was happiest when we were all together playing cards around the table.  He was a very competitive canasta player, often handing red 3’s to his teething grandchildren and refusing to keep any five-point cards.  Bob was well known for his popcorn popping skills by his friends, family, and Betty’s many students.  Family events are still not complete without a large bowl of popcorn.

He loved baseball from an early age, learning his skills from his dad.  He played with the Coulter Red Sox, and then the Virden Oilers, from 1970 – 1974, and 1976.  He was part of the 1968 Coulter Red Sox team that was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.  His love for the game was passed on to his children and grandchildren.  He loved his Toronto Blue Jays and spent many hours cursing at the tv when the team wasn’t performing as expected.  In his youth he was an avid curler.  His grandsons are also competitive curlers, and Bob enjoyed watching their games. Throughout his years, Bob loved the outdoors; trapping, hunting, fishing, feeding chipmunks, camping with family, and spending time at Coulter Park.

Bob was a stubborn, uncomplaining man, with a secret soft side, who loved his family and always put them first above everything else.  Though he has passed, he lives on in our hearts and in our memories.

A celebration of Bob's life was held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Coulter Park from 5-8 p.m. Friends and family were invited to drop by and reminisce about Bob and visit with his family.

Donations in memory of Bob can be made to the Melita and Area Lions Community Fund, Box 853, Melita, MB R0M 1L0 or the Deloraine Palliative Care Fund, Box 447, Deloraine, Manitoba, R0M 0M0.

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