Mar 05, 2015 | dmarling | 1079 views
Who was "Chub" Downey?
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2008
Town Recognizes the Contributions of
Russell "Chub" Downey to the Community........
(Town of Bracebridge Press Release 2008)
BRACEBRIDGE, ONT – The Town of Bracebridge today officially recognized the many contributions of Russell "Chub" Downey to the community by re-naming Jane Street as "Chub Downey Lane." Chub Downey had a long history in Bracebridge. Chub and his brother Ken purchased Bracebridge Dairy in 1947, selling it in 1967. They operated the Dairy from the building located on the northeast side of Manitoba Street in Bracebridge, presently the Oliver’s coffee shop and adjoining building. Some of those who worked at the Bracebridge Dairy and Dairy Bar attended the re-naming ceremony held today including Noel (Turk) Lees, Bill Quemby and Kaye Fish. The Bracebridge Kinsmen Club was formed in 1947 and, while Chub was not an original member, he joined not long after. No doubt enthused by the official opening of the new Bracebridge Memorial Community Centre on January 28, 1949 and after not having an arena for several years due to the fire that destroyed the Yearley Arena in 1944, the Kinsmen Club of Bracebridge started the first organized children’s (or minor) hockey system in the community. Chub Downey and Stuart Reid, then members of the Kinsmen Club, were instrumental in organizing what we now take so much for granted as our minor hockey system. For some time, Chub Downey, on behalf of the Kinsmen Club and because of his own personal interest, coached EVERY team in the hockey system. Although of modest stature, Chub was a dynamic skater and hockey player. His friend and teammate, Stuart Reid, often said that Chub would create a ruckus with the opposing team with his persistent and determined play but he (Stuart) would wind up getting in all the fights to defend his little buddy. There are many memorable instances in Chub’s hockey career in Bracebridge including many minor hockey championships and near championships as both a coach and player. All of Chub Downey’s personal success is secondary to his dedication and incredible service for the benefit of the children of Bracebridge. Several of the hockey players who were part of the championship teams coached by Chub attended the ceremony including Guy Waite, Rayme Lee, Mel Cox, Ron Austin, Ike (Gary) Pearson, and 60/61 Juvenile “C” Ontario Champions Manager Al Taylor. In 1953, Chub coached the Bracebridge Midget team to an Ontario Championship defeating an Orangeville team in the finals while at the same time participating as a key player for the Bracebridge Bears Intermediate team who won the Ontario Intermediate “B” Championship in the finals against Durham. Incredibly, the total attendance at their Intermediate team games in the Bracebridge arena that year was reported to be 33,635. Some of the Intermediate “B” players who attended the ceremony were Dint Rowe, Fred Nichols, Turk Lees, trainer Eugene Lawson and stick-boy Bud Reid. Chub’s dedication to Bracebridge knew no bounds; he lived and breathed hockey and provided endless support for all involved in sports in Bracebridge. His hard work and dedication work brought Bracebridge great recognition and acclaim. It is appropriate that the Town dedicate a street beside the arena to Chub Downey. The arena is a place where he spent thousands of hours working on behalf of our kids; where he won and heartbreakingly lost games; where he experienced so many ups and downs; where he fought so hard for Bracebridge; and where the first-ever televised hockey game in Canada was recorded in 1952. In closing the street-naming ceremony, Mayor Don Coates thanked Guy Waite for his commitment to the community and his enthusiasm in bringing the suggestion to name a thoroughfare after Chub Downey to Council’s attention. Mayor Coates stated, “Guy has especially fond memories of Chub due to his experience playing as a member of the 1952/53 Ontario Champion Midget Hockey team. I know you will join me in thanking Guy for helping to make this special day possible.”