Joseph Francis Downey

Peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville at the age of 92.  Born in Roscrea, Tipperary Ireland. 

Joe left as a teenager to work at the Mayfair Hotel in London, England.  From London he went on an exchange program for two years to Paris, France before coming to Canada in 1953 with his girlfriend (Margaret – deceased) on the Empress of Australia. On arriving in Toronto, joe immediately started working at the Kind Edward Hotel, where he often said he grew up there to become the General Manager.  During Expo 1967, joe was transferred to the Mount Royal Sheraton Hotel in Montreal and then in 1971 to the new Four Seasons Sheraton Hotel in Toronto.  Other hotels he managed included the Lord Simcoe Hotel in Toronto and Ramada Hotels, in Montreal and Ontario.  Joe enjoyed his hotel days and treasured his numerous pictures of hotel guests, celebrities, dignitaries, co-workers, and all his memorabilia.  Joe was always delighted to entertain anyone who was interested in his many hotel stories!  Joe never forgot his Irish roots and was always excited to return to see family and friends on numerous occasions. 

Joe is greatly missed by his wife Lois, daughters Lynn (Larry – deceased), Ashley (Tom) and son Bradley, as well as his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration for Joe’s long and productive life will be held in the summer.

MacIntyre Family Funeral Home

519 833 2231