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Harry Down
August 20, 1926 - March 6, 2017
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<div itemprop="description"><br>It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harry Arthur Down on March 3, 2017. Harry was born on August 20, 1926 in Anyox, B.C. to Margaret Holme Wilson and Harry Samuel Down. He spent his early years in Anyox, where his mother was the postmistress, and in Ketchikan Alaska. Moving to Victoria in the 1930's, the family settled on Government Street next to the home of Emily Carr. Harry attended Victoria High School where he excelled in sports, particularly Rugby, and would go on to play for the renowned Crimson Tide. In 1943 he enlisted in the Royal Navy and was a member of the first class to graduate through HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary. In 1944 He entered Victoria College where he studied Hotel Management while working as a pipe fitter at the Victoria Machinery Depot Shipyard. His subsequent hospitality industry career included the management of such Victoria landmarks as the Princess Mary, The Imperial Inn and Holyrood House. He left this career to return to school to study accounting, and worked his way up in finance through the Saanich Peninsula Savings Credit Union which later became First Pacific Savings. On June 16, 1951 he married the radiant Barbara Ann Rumsby and together over the next 63 years they raised a family of five of their own children and adopted two as well as caring for over twenty-five foster children along the way. <br> <br>Barbara predeceased Harry in 2015. Harry is survived by children James (Eunice) Down, Dallas (Heather) Down, David (Barbara) Down, Victoria Down, Hugh (Karin) Down and Grandchildren Adrian, Christopher, Alexander, Jasmine, James, Iain, Edward, Henry, Isabella, Georgia, Logan and Lillian Down. Harry was well read, well spoken, and always equipped with a witty retort right to the end. He will be dearly missed. <br></div>