Thompson, Downey Milton – Age 92, of Kennetcook passed away suddenly in Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital, Pictou on February 11, 2024.
Born in Upper Nine Mile River, he was a son of the late Silas and Flossie (Steadman) Thompson.
Downey will always be loved and missed by partner, Rosalyn Grant; son, Stephen (Claudia); daughters, Sharon (John) Tanner and Sue (Tim) Gibbon; grandchildren, Michele Thompson, Mark (Abby) Thompson, Jessie (Andrew) Lipsit, Katie (Chris) Cawthra, Colten Tanner (Crystal), Travis (Victoria) Gibbon, Todd (Tyler) Gibbon-Thorne; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Owen Thompson, Cameron and Joshua Lipsit, Theo Cawthra, Lachlan and Avery Gibbon; sisters-in-law, Wendy McCorkill and Mary Thompson; Rosalyn’s son, Greg (Michelle) Grant; and their children, Lawson and Zoey.
He was predeceased by siblings, Irene (Don) Mattatall, Newton Thompson and Raymond Thompson.
Downey Thompson started his career with Elmsdale Lumber Company at the age of 15 and quickly advanced to be an integral member of the management team. As Senior Woodland Consultant for ELCO he had provided, from his 77 years of experience, valuable direction for advancement of sustainable forestry practices on all land tenures in Nova Scotia. Downey had been a longtime member of the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia serving as President from 2001-2003. He had been a keen supporter of the Canadian Woodlands Forum’s Teachers Tour recognizing the future of forestry can be advanced through education of the next generation. Downey had worked tirelessly on a variety of organizations including the Nova Forest Alliance, the Wood Products Association of Nova Scotia, the Maritime Lumber Bureau, the Halifax Regional Municipality Development Strategies Committee, and had been actively involved with management strategies in the Pockwock Watershed. Downey Thompson was a forest visionary and had generously devoted his career to providing knowledge and experience to the next generation of stewards of Nova Scotia’s forest. He considered his greatest accomplishment was his induction to the Forestry Hall of Fame in 2012. Downey continued to be a mentor to many people in the forestry industry right to the end.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 18th from 1-4 p.m. in Nine Mile River Community Center, 7160 Hwy 14, Nine Mile River. Memorial donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice.
Thanks to Colchester East Hants Health Centre – Stroke Unit, the staff of Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Restorative Care Unit and also family doctor, Dr. Judith MacNeil.
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