Glenn Downey
Glenn Downey
Athlete
Induction Award:
Glenn Downey will always be known as a fierce competitor with an encouraging spirit. Diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at age five, Glenn still was a shining star at every sport he played. From a young age he always loved sports; he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a very well-respected pitcher with many accolades. Glenn was also an award-winning goaltender, wrestler, bowler, and pool player. Unfortunately, Glenn was taken from this world much too soon at the age of 50. He will always be remembered as an exceptional athlete, as well as a generous and kind-hearted man.
Member Details:
Category: Athlete
Year of Induction: 2024
Multi Sport: Bowling, Pool, Hockey, Softball
Nominator: Ross Douglas McConnell
Date/Place of Birth: February 7th, 1964, Barrie, ON
Date/Place of Resting: July 22nd, 2014, Minesing Union Cemetery. Minesing, ON
Highlights:
- 1974: OASA Squirt ‘C’ Finalist (Softball)
- 1975: OASA Squirt ‘C’ Finalist (Softball) ...more highlights
Narrative:
Born and raised in Minesing, Glenn had a desire to play sports from an early age. He attended Minesing Central Elementary School, Barrie District North Collegiate and Georgian College and was a sports athlete at all three schools. As a young child, Glenn bowled and golfed in local Minesing fun leagues. He became involved in organized sports at age 7 in 1971, over the years playing ice hockey as a forward and a goalie, pitching in Minesing and Barrie competitive softball leagues, was the 1978 Novice Wrestling Champion in high school and received an athletic award for floor hockey at college. Glenn was recognized and rewarded by his coaches and teammates for his dedication and commitment to each sport he played, winning many individual awards and trophies.
In June 1969 (at age 5) Glenn was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes – insulin dependent. In his early years, he was able to play more physically active sports like hockey and fastball but as his diabetes progressed he faced limitations and was forced to adjust his sports participation to less physically challenging sports.
Glenn played sports in various centres other than his hometown Minesing area. Through his youth and teenage years, he played hockey and softball for teams in Barrie, Elmvale, and Oro. His career as an IT professional took him to the GTA (where he curled, bowled and played softball and volleyball), and to the Parry Sound area. While in Parry Sound, Glenn participated in Dragon Boat Racing and sat on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters. When Glenn returned to the Minesing area, he took up competitive bowling and pool due to physical limitations caused by his diabetes. He excelled in both sports, receiving a bronze medal in the 2012-2013 5-Pin Canadian National Bowling Championships. In 2014, his 8-ball pool team won the right to advance to the American Pool Players Association Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unfortunately, prior to the trip, Glenn passed away from a heart attack in July 2014.
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