David Downey

Published 6:00 am Sunday, December 18, 2011

David Downey died Dec. 16 in Fort Myers, Fla., where he resided. A native of Simpson County, he was 64.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Bonita (nee Harris); his daughter, Stephanie Downey (Alan Canant) of New York City and their twin children, Frances and Everett; his son, Charlie Downey of Louisville; his father, Doug Downey; his sister and brothers, Debbie Donaldson, Steve Downey and Dick Downey; and five nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death in 2010 by his mother, Betty Downey.

David battled cancer off and on his last eight years with strength and innovation.

A 1965 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School, he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1969. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at UK. After a short stint as a CPA with Ernst & Ernst starting in 1972, he joined the Glasgow concern Gray Construction and was a founding partner of Alliance Construction before forming Heritage Builders in Bowling Green. He was in the commercial general contracting business until 2004 and was known for having many repeat customers in a highly competitive market.

David and Bonita began to develop a love for the Fort Myers/Sanibel area about 20 years ago and moved to the area permanently after David retired from business. He was an avid and proficient golfer. Members of Lexington Country Club in Fort Myers, David and Bonita also had been part of Wildcat Run in nearby Estero.

David was a devoted follower of UK basketball, attending numerous SEC tournaments and the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Final Fours. In his last days, he was able to see the Big Blue football team defeat Tennessee for the first time since 1984.

A memorial gathering for David will be held at Bowling Green Country Club on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, 3760 Fowler Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 or at http://www.harrychapinfood

bank.org/volunteer/donate.html.