Obituary of Joey Bowes

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joey Bowes on Monday, October 27, 2025, in his 70th year. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Joey was the devoted husband and best friend of Barb (Dowker) for 46 years (together for 50), a proud and loving Dad to Ryan (Melanie) and Chris (Shannon), and a cherished, fun-loving Poppy to Paige, Ellis, Carter, and Emmy. He was the beloved son of Helen and the late Dave Bowes.

He will be deeply missed by his siblings: Jack (Kathy), Howie (the late Claudia), Angela, Cindy (Bob), Steve, and Dale (Kris), as well as his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and David Shane. Joey held a special place in the hearts of all his nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leland and Norma Dowker, whom he also cherished deeply.

Joey lived life to the fullest and never gave up, even when battling cancer. He had a great enthusiasm for work, fun and life, in general. He always had a great smile and a joke to tell, which we will always remember. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, spending time at the trailer each summer, travelling south every winter with friends, meeting his “coffee friends” at the Sydenham One Stop every morning to “share a joke or two”, but the love for his family was his greatest passion. He spent many years coaching his two sons, who would later follow in his footsteps with their families. One of his proudest sports moments was playing on the same Sydenham ball team with his sons, at the age of 50, and winning the championship together.

Joey lived in Sydenham his entire life and dedicated countless volunteer hours to keeping sports alive in his small community. He served as President of the Central Frontenac Ball Association for many years and coached local youth for 17 seasons — often while playing himself. He believed deeply in the life lessons sports could teach kids and often said they “kept them out of trouble (most of the time).” One of his proudest honours was seeing the Sydenham ballpark named after his late father, David.

Joey attended school in Sydenham and went on to become a licensed carpenter. He founded his own business, building custom homes, mostly in the countryside, with care and craftsmanship. His sons worked alongside him for many years, and when he retired two years ago, they took over the business — a transition that filled him with pride.

Joey always said he would never be ready to go, because he still had “too much to live for.” And that truly sums up the great life he lived. His memory will live on forever in the hearts of his family and friends.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Cancer Centre and KHSC, to Val Cooper, N.P., and to his nurse, Erbien, from St. Elizabeth, for the wonderful care they provided over the past year.

A special thank you to the A.B. Smith Homestead Hospice in Kingston for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Joey and our family during his final days — your support meant the world to us.

We are also deeply grateful to Jason Smith at the Paul Payne Funeral Home in Odessa for his kindness and compassion during this difficult time.

A private graveside service was held at Harrowsmith Cemetery. The family will receive friends and loved ones to celebrate Joey’s life and share memories at the Sydenham Legion Branch 496, located at 4361 Amelia Street, Sydenham, Ontario, where Joey was proudly a member for 50 years, on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 4-7 p.m.

For those desiring, memorial donations to the Cancer Society, UHKF (memo - A.B. Smith Providence Care Hospice) or the Sydenham Legion Branch 496 would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Payne Funeral Home in Odessa.

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