403-381-7777
Menu Cornerstone Funeral Home
Printer Logo
← Back

Downs, Neville

August 6, 1936

November 17, 2025

Neville tied his last fly and cast his last line with memories of growing up on a dairy farm in New Zealand, fishing trout laden waters and representing Waikato in crowd pleasing rugby games.

He began his agricultural career with Wright Stephenson N.Z. Curiosity about farming in other countries led him to Australia, the Canada West Grain Co. in Edmonton and subsequent transfer to Lethbridge in 1966 to establish United Grain Growers Proven Seed distribution centre dealing with certified seed and forage producers. Neville felt it was a privilege to walk on their land and a greater privilege to earn their open gate trust. He also served on the Ag Expo Committee for 25 years.

Neville was a conservationist, hunter and fly-fisherman. He greatly appreciated the companionship of his fishing buddies and proud of leading Team Canz to two world titles at Air New Zealand World Salt-Fly tournaments.

Always a “rugger”, and with some rugby strip donated by the Edmonton Barbarians, he revived the game in Lethbridge in 1966 and gratified to see it become a successful competitive local sport.

WE WILL MISS AND REMEMBER YOU AS LONG AS THE “NORTHERN DOWNS” GRASS WILL GROW.

Adele, Karen, David, Tami, Amanda, Brendan, Chase, Jordan, Grayson, Wren Adele, Matt

A Celebration of Neville’s life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.