Obituary of Christopher Gordon Percy Downing

September 10, 1942 – Regina, Saskatchewan

November 28, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Chris Downing, of Calgary, AB, on Saturday, November 28, 2024, at the age of 82 years.

Chris was born in Regina, SK, the oldest child of Percy and Sadie Downing. Growing up he lived in many places in Canada including New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Glen Cairn, Calgary and abroad in Werl and Soest, Germany. Following the military footsteps of his father, he entered the Royal Military College in Kingston and graduated with a Degree in Business. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 25 years, during which time, he was stationed in various locations including Winnipeg, Montreal, Lahr (Germany), Cold Lake, Richmond Hill and Suffield. He took his final posting at CFB Calgary and retired in 1987.

Chris did two United Nations tours during his career. The highlight of these was serving with the United Nations in the Middle East in the Gaza Strip with his father. After he retired from the military, he founded Alberta Recoveries and Rentals, a grassroots recycling program. He later worked for CTV during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as head of Logistics. Following this Chris worked as a financial planner and tax consultant before embarking on a job with Talisman Energy in Sudan. He concluded his working life as a Commissionaire at the Calgary Police Service. Chris had a great love of the outdoors, especially hunting and he founded True North Outfitters with his son, maintaining an active role until his health no longer allowed him to.

Having been raised in a military family and living in various locations in Canada and Germany, Chris developed a passion for travel. He loved the adventure of exploring new cultures and visited all seven continents and 78 countries. He always came back with fabulous stories and pictures from locations that many could only imagine visiting.

He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion #285 and volunteered for many years with the Poppy Campaign for Remembrance Day. He was an active member of the Conservative Party of Alberta

He married Norma Williams in 1969 and they divorced in 1988. Chris was a dedicated father, survived by his children, Jenn Downing, Jeff (Rachel) Downing, and Julie Mills; as well as his grandchildren, Colton Mills, Julia Downing, and Karter Downing. He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Higdon and Bonnie (Keith) Jones; along with many nieces and nephews.

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Percy and Sadie Downing; his former wife Norma, brother-in-law Bruce Higdon, and nephew Rob Purdy.

He will be fondly remembered by friends, colleagues, and business associates as a friendly and caring man who was always up for a conversation.

Chris’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Palliative Care team and staff at Unit 71 of the Rockyview General Hospital, as well as the Southwood Hospice staff, for their care and compassion.

Memorial Services will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Branch #285 (9202 Horton Road SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Chris’s honour may be made directly to Veterans Food Bank of Calgary 114 – 4503 26 St. NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 7K2, Phone: 403-277-8387 Website: www.veteransfoodbankalberta.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Chris’s family here.

In living memory of Christopher Downing, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.