DOWNEY, John Joseph (Jack)
Passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017 surrounded by the love of his family, in his 87th year. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years Marjory (Whitton) and together they raised 10 children. He was very proud of and will be deeply missed by Tom, Catherine (Geoff Moran), Carol (David Zmija), David (Janet Thompson), Richard (Kelly Kernaghan), Rosalynn (Jim Hahn), Greg (Debra Eamon), Philip (Denise), Chris (Paula) and Jennifer (Adam Sugarman). He leaves behind a legacy of 28 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom could bring a smile to his face. Jack is survived by his siblings Clare (Jeanette), Gerald (Donna), Mary (Dennis Fedy), Margaret Ann (Bill Atkinson) and his sister-in-law Shirley Downey. He is predeceased by his parents John and Louise Downey and his siblings Paul, Bob, Donny and Eleanor Blair.
Jack holds a B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, a Principals' Certification from University of Waterloo, and a Masters of Education from Niagara University. He was extremely proud of his Honorary Fellowship, Pedagogical Faculty from Charles University in Prague.
Jack's career in education spanned 39 years, having started teaching at just 17 years old. He taught for 5 years in one room rural schools in Peel & Wilmot townships. He served the Waterloo Catholic School Board for 32 years teaching at St. Louis, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. David CSS, St. Agatha and St. John’s. He retired as a Principal in 1986.
Jack was passionate about hockey, and was both a player and a coach. He could very often be found rink side cheering on one of his grandchildren throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo area. He was a minor hockey league coach for several years, but his biggest thrill was being a school hockey coach which he did for 15 years. He loved to play the game and he spent a lot of time with his old "Over the Hill" gang chasing the puck up & down the ice.
The family would like to thank the staff of Columbia Forest Long Term Care Home.
Friends and family may call at the Henry Walser Funeral Home at 507 Frederick St., Kitchener on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St. W., Waterloo, on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 10 a.m. followed by a reception. Interment will follow the reception at 1 p.m. at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.
In memory of Jack, donations to the Canadian Food for Children would be appreciated by the family. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Jack's memorial.