In Celebration of

Danny Downs

January 31, 1957 -  August 2, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Danny on August 2 at the age of 64. Lovingly remembered by his partner Sherry Lake, their son Steven and four grandchildren Ayla, Joseph, Samuel, and Andrea. He is predeceased by his parents Jean (1994) and Cliff (1989). Danny is survived by his brother Dave and his wife Suzanne of Blasdell NY and brother Doug and his wife Arleen. He leaves to mourn, many good friends who travelled with him on his journey through life.

Bowling was instrumental in Danny’s life and shaped the path he was to take. Starting work at Lucky Strike Lanes after completing school, he was then hired as Head of Maintenance in January 1978 at Skyway Lanes. He held that position until he was promoted to General Manager in 1994. During these years, Danny furthered his education with on going product and technical training with Brunswick Bowling Products. To say that Danny was a computer whiz is definitely an understatement! As an Electronic field engineer, he travelled throughout North America and even to the Dominican Republic installing automatic scoring computers and training staff for Striker Bowling Solutions.

He started his own consulting company in 2006. While doing all of this, Danny found the time to return to school to Trios College and graduated in 2007 with honours in the Network Engineering Program. He returned to Skyway Lanes in 2018 and worked there until it closed in 2019. He then ventured in a new direction and took a job at Walmart, doing what he loved to do, working quietly in the back making everything run smoothly.

When Danny wasn’t travelling for work, he enjoyed golf, bowling, and slo-pitch baseball. Danny was an excellent 10 pin bowler with three perfect games to his credit. He was named Provincial 10 Pin champion in 1997 and received a commendation from the Premier. He participated in many leagues throughout the years, mainly at Skyway, where, on most days you could find him. It was home to him.

Slo-pitch baseball was his other passion. He played in the Steel City slo-pitch mixed league and the Hamilton Central men’s league for over thirty years. Both teams were sponsored by Skyway Lanes and Danny was pitcher for both. He travelled with the team to Cuba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic several times for tournaments.

Danny’s unflappable nature always made him the go to guy. That ever-present flick of the wrist and smile let you know that the job would get done without a problem.

While Danny was a great friend to many people, he was a very private person. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service. Remember Danny with a smile, a story, a laugh and perhaps pop open a Coors Light and toast to a great person. We will miss you, Danny.

Please sign the online Book of Condolences at www.baygardens.ca.

Guestbook 

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Sherry (Partner in love)

Entered August 11, 2021 from Hamilton

Dany, I promise you I will listen nightly to Christina Perri's 1000 years...we listened to this every night for years and years now...I loved you for 1000 years and will love you for a 1000 more...I thank God daily that we had a few years together again, enjoying every moment. You restored my patience, my faith that love can live a long time, acceptance,, and the ability to accept those that were different, as we all have little quirks, we can accept others quirks... For those values you have instilled in me, have made me a better person, and I thank you for that...I thank you for our son, he is the sunshine in my life, and a part of you that is living on with me still...When it rains, I will look at the raindrops and smile (thinking of getting caught in the downpour after your dental surgery) when we decided to go for a walk, when it's dark, and I'm alone and missing you, I will look for the brightest star, I know it will be you, and we can have a conversation about our days....our picnics you made for us before we went for movie nights, just to spend a little more time together. I will miss making all your favorite dinners, and looking at that smile, when you tried something out of your comfort zone...I will miss your emails daily to ask how my day was, and the I love you, after I tell you about my day....Danny I wish there was something I could have given you to take with you to Heaven, top of my list is my heart...I will have to keep it here until I can join you, and give it back to you.. I will bè awaiting for one of the warmest ,yet strong and protecting hugs I have ever received (electricity went through us with that hug) I will have again one of your sweet, soft kisses....I love you my sweet man...rest peacefully my love

Sue & Jim Austin (Friends)

Entered August 12, 2021 from Skyway Lanes

Our prayers and thoughts are with Danny's loved ones. He was such a nice person always had a smile.. He will deeply be missed by so many people. We'll have a cold one in his honour
RIP Danny..
Jim & Sue Austin

james banyard (friend)

Entered August 12, 2021 from Hamilton

will be missed -- just a great guy who always had a smile on his face...........will raise our glass tonight.....rip

jim & shirley

Marion Pickering (Co woekeri)

Entered August 12, 2021 from Hamilton ON

After working with Danny for over forty years I have many memories some are funny, sad and educational.
The ones that impressed me the most was when he was the master of ceremonies at the bowling awards banquet, especially when he did the inductions into the hall of fame. You realized that he had researched every article available along with his personal knowledge and perfected his tribute.
Thank you Danny for some good time, useful knowledge and your gift of friendship.
Rest In Peace Sir Fondly remember Marion pickering aka Moereen.2

Diane Whitehouse 

Entered August 12, 2021

Very sorry to hear of Danny’s passing. My husband Randy brought home many great stories of Danny and bowling at Skyway Lanes. Danny used to call our son Corey “Baby Pig”…..it always made us laugh. I hope Danny and Randy are having a beer together and sharing old times.
With sincere sympathy to all Danny’s family,
Diane Whitehouse

Photos 

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