Obituary
It is with heartfelt loss that we announce the passing of Randolph Elliot Downey, better known as "Bo Diddley" age 65, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 26, 1955. Bo Diddley passed away on May 31, 2021 from a heart attack. He spent the first seventeen years of his life in North Preston and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bo Diddley moved to Toronto with his aunt Quincie and her family in 1972 to be closer to his mother.
Bo Diddley was an avid hockey lover (Toronto Maple Leafs). Although, he once boycotted the Leafs for a few years, as he was extremely disappointed that they had not won the Stanley Cup since 1967. In time he eventually found it in his heart to forgive them. Bo Diddley looked forward to his weekly visits with his mother Loffie. They would spend endless hours laughing and reminiscing of years past, while enjoying a hardy lunch. Other than his mother's home cooked meals, he was definitely the king of KFC. Bo Diddley was also long-time dedicated volunteer worker with his local food bank, he took pride in trying to support his neighbourhood.
Bo Diddley is survived by his mother Loffie Downey, his son Chad Rowe; sister's Denise Downey and Natalie (Angel) Downey-McKinnon (Iain); his niece Megan McKinnon; his aunts, Dolly Downey-Simmonds (Don, deceased), Ezonia Downey (Charles), Betty Paquet (Joseph); and his uncles Fulton Downey (Sandra), Basol Downey (Epherin, deceased) and Jeff Downey (Nadine). He is also survived by many cherished first, second and third cousins, and former common law wife Darlene Rowe; Bo Diddley was predeceased by; his father Leroy Hurst; his brother Maynard (Hilton) Downey; his uncle Lester (Lefty) Downey; his aunts Quincie Downey and Yvonne Downey; cousins, Cleo (Tiny) Downey, Racine Downey, Andre Paquet, Damien (Tuffy) Taylor, Lashonda Belanger-Taylor and Samantha (Joy) Downey.
Bo Diddley, we will miss your infectious hardy chuckle for a life time. May your travel home be joyous, and filled with wonderful memories.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there was no viewing, nor a funeral service. However, we would greatly appreciate your warm and kind condolences.
Please continue to stay safe, healthy and mindful
Visitation
Service
Burial / Entombment / Cremation
June 24, 2021
I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May Bo Diddley's soul be at peace.
June 23, 2021
My Dearest Sister Loffie, and my lovely niece Denny , Angel and my great Nephew Chad , my thoughts have been with you when I heard about Bo soaring up to Heaven, my condolences to You and the Family ,Bo was a hard working man and I always appreciated him thinking of me and bringing little treats , and I loved him very very much . May his soul rest in peace
Ezonia Downey
June 23, 2021
Miss Loffie, Angel, Denise and all of Bo’s loved ones, I never had the pleasure of meeting your cherished Bo but based on the stories from his sister Denise, I really wanted to. It sounds like he blessed your lives with a loving and passionate soul. I pray for your deep sorrow and healing days ahead. Denise, you are one of the smartest and kindness women I’ve ever known, I hope I can provide some comfort for you as you certainly have for me. Rest in Love and Peace Bo
June 21, 2021
Bo will forever have an impact on all of our lives. He was the kindest, most generous man. His laugh was joyfully pleasant and his love for family was strong. He loved Chad and was so proud of him, I've witnessed this for my own eyes. He would make a point to spend holidays with us because it brought him closer to his son. One Christmas he spent it with us and he started singing Christmas carols, we all laughed and shared such a great time that day, what a fun memory to have. I recently had a conversation with one my cousin about how lucky Chad was to have a father who tried; as some have absent fathers. My daughter, my brother Tyler and I will forever be grateful to have had the chance to get to know him. Bo will Be truly missed, but his memory will always remain. To my Godmother,
Aunt Angel (Uncle Iian, Megan) and Grama Loffee I wish I had the strength and power to take away the pain you are all feeling. Please know I am forever here to help, love and talk. Xoxo
June 21, 2021
Although I only met Bo once he seemed like a very fun loving person. Denise is a sister cousin of mine and she would speak of him often. She said he'd call his mom everyday just to hear her voice. I know aunt Loffie, Denise, Angel and Chad will miss him very much as well as many others. You are very fortunate to have had him in your lives. Rest in peace Bo. May your family receive the comfort they deserve.
June 20, 2021
The ones we love are never gone, they live within our hearts. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
June 19, 2021
Aunt Loffie, Denise, Angel, Megan, Darlene, Chad, my deepest condolences, we’re sending lots of love and strength.
Bo’s spirit and distinct laugh will live forever in our hearts and minds. He definitely lived life his own way, which I can admire and also learn from. He was like an uncle to me, and I have great memories of him taking care of me when we lived in Regent. I remember how much him and my dad loved watching the leafs loose hockey games. I have this weird memory as a young kid of him showing me how to eat chicken wings the “proper way” and him telling me to not be afraid of getting my fingers dirty….and to this very day I think about that every time I eat chicken wings. He was good man and he will be missed.
Lot is love.
June 19, 2021
Sending heartfelt condolences to Godmother, Chad and all of the family! I know the pain of your loss is great but, I pray that you may find strength and joy in your memories of Bo and within each other.
Rest easy Cousin Bo!!
My love and prayers for you all!!
June 19, 2021
To Miss Loffie, Chad, Denise, Angel, Darlene and the Downey family we send our deepest condolences. Remember the little things, the shared smiles, the warm hugs, the laughter. The pain might seem unbearable now, but in time, it is these memories that will win through and you will find happiness again. Our love and thoughts are with you. Rest In Peace Bo.
June 18, 2021
Aunt Loffie, Denise, Angel and Chad. I am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you all and everyone who loved him. I have many fond memories of Bo and I will always remember his smile, it was infectious! Bo will be greatly missed by many. May loving memories bring you peace, comfort and strength.
Love you all!
June 18, 2021
Aunt Loffie, Denise, Angel and Chad. Just wanted you guys to know how sorry I am for you loss and that you have been in my thoughts since Bo's sudden passing. I have so many great memories of him, actually mostly hilarious memories. He was the true definition of "one of a kind". There is no one like him anywhere and he will be greatly missed by many I'm sure. Love you guys.
June 18, 2021
Jeff would like to share his condolences with the family. He is sending his love to his sister Loffie and nieces Denise and Angel He loves you all and you are in his thoughts and prayers
June 18, 2021
This is from Mr. D. to my sister Loffie, Nieces -Denise, Angel (Ian) and Megan, and Nephew-Chad and Darlene. I am not going to give a long story about my "Brother" Bo Diddly. If you are wondering why I am saying Brother, I am his Uncle but we grew up together in the same house as brothers. I just want to give you a laugh (while he lived here in Toronto, he would be having accidents on his bicycle with TTC all the time, he was kind of crazy). When ever we saw each other...we got along so well... we had lots of fun.... so I am going to miss him just like you all. To Loffie these are the words from your oldest brother, with love from God.
To my Sister in-law Loffie who showed me so much love, kindness and caring during my difficult time last and this year, my heart goes out to you. I can't think of a greater pain than saying good -bye to your son. To those who knew him, loved him and shared their life with him, may your pain and sorrow be short and the happy memories you have of him live in hearts and minds forever. I did not have the opportunity to get to him; but from the stories I have heard, about Bo Diddly he sounds like a great guy. May God Bless you all and may you know and take comfort that Bo Diddly is resting in the arms of Angels. Love, Peace and Blessings Sandra
June 18, 2021
Loffie, Denise, Angel… this has been a tough year and Bo’s passing only adds to it…. You are strong women and you will get through this in time.. my deepest sympathies.
June 18, 2021
Aunt Loffie, Godmother Denise, Angel, Megan, Darlene, and Chad,
My deepest condolences. Love you guys so much.
June 18, 2021
Aunt Loffie, Chad , Demise and Angel, my deepest condolences to You at this time of sorrow and wishing You And Your Family a brighter tomorrow. I sure have a lot of Memories of Bo, 3 Lip the Bugger , Lol and boy could he suck on the oxtails. i remember when he would babysit for me when I was residing in Regent, all he wanted to babysit was for me to cook him a big , I mean pot of oxtails with nothing else, but his 6 pack and he was set to watch the?Kids and Hockey Game, hopi g the Leafs would win , and they never did, not surprised that he boycotted them, as time moved on I ended living with Bo and?Sugar on Lansdowne, hmmm those were the good old days, One thing I will say about my Cousin Bon, is that Bo Diddly was an Honest hard working man , and a law abiding citizen who believed in working for an honest living, and if he had a point to argue , he would go on and on and on and even get mad sometimes, which was all good. What can I say Bo continue to soar Cuz, rest in Peace and maybe you can be the Leafs Guardian Angel in future, because they sure are going to need it. R.I.P.Randoilph ❤❤❤❤
June 18, 2021
Condolences to Loffie, Denise, Angel, Chad and the rest of the Downey family. We all loved Bo.
June 17, 2021
We send condolences to the family my first cousin Bo will truly be missed from Sugar and Family rest in peace I love you
June 17, 2021
Bo was much loved by me and my family...we will miss you BO. My condolences Loffie, Denise ,Angel, Chad and the Downey family
June 17, 2021
Dearest Downey family, my deepest sympathy to you all for the loss of your beloved Bo - a son, a brother, a father, a friend, departed much too early. Thinking of you all with blessings
June 17, 2021
Ms Loffie & Downey Family - my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
May Bo Rest In Peace…and hopefully he can be the Angel the Toronto Maple Leafs need to win the Stanley Cup, next year. 🙏🏾
Peace and love
