The Late Graham Leo Downey

Hon. Wilfred P. Moore:

Honourable senators, I rise today to participate in Black History Month by paying tribute to Graham Leo Downey Sr., late of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who passed away on September 15, 2015. I first met Graham in the 1950s, when playing minor hockey. As a teenager, he was the manager and coach of a team of young players, exhibiting his generosity and leadership qualities at a young age, a born leader. We were good friends since those early days. Perhaps Graham’s greatest achievement in sport was the Vaughan Furriers, a multiracial baseball team he put together, managed and coached. The team was known as the “Boys of ’62,” and they became the Maritime Junior Champions.

Graham also became a community leader. When he was elected as alderman for Ward 3 in October 1974, he became the first Afro-Nova Scotian ever elected to Halifax City Council. Graham would also serve as deputy mayor from 1978 to 1979. I served on council with him from 1974 to 1980 and can attest that he was a consummate alderman, always available to his constituents regardless of race. He served until the year 2000: an historic record of service, of respect and achievement.

Graham was a community-builder. An editorial in a Halifax newspaper spoke of him as “a builder of great note.” More than his elected service, Graham was a builder in the maturing of our city. I think that began when he and his late brother Billy opened the Arrows Club on Agricola Street. In their quiet and steadfast manner, they broke down racial divides and defused some very testy situations in the bumpy 1960s.

Graham Downey had solid personal values. He believed that with good work, good things would happen. He was a positive motivator. He and his wife, Ardith, instilled those values in their family, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and neighbourhood kids, encouraging them all to get an education and become involved in their community.

His niece Terry Downey put it best when referring to his community service:

I became aware of his huge political presence in our community observing pedestrians calling out his name on the streets and drivers honking their horns as they drove past him. There was a lot of respect and acknowledgment from people for his contributions to the people of Halifax.

In recognition of Graham’s superb legacy of service, giving and hope, the Alderman Graham Downey Bursary has been established at Saint Mary’s University under the direction of his wife, Ardith. It will provide financial assistance of $1,000 annually to an Afro-Nova Scotian student from Halifax County. It is a fitting and lasting testament to Graham’s life’s work that the education of a young student of his race will be aided under his name.

Graham Downey was the recipient of many honours, including the Dr. W. P. Oliver Hall of Fame recognition, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

He is survived by Ardith, his six children Carmella, Graham Jr., Pricilla, Gordon, Christopher and Stacy, as well as 13 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to them from the Senate of Canada.

Senators, this was a good man. Halifax, Nova Scotia and Canada could all use more Graham Downeys.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.