(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The funeral for the former owner of Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston was held on Thursday. Guy Downer died last week, the day before his 101st birthday.
Downer served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and bought the bakery from the Bennison family in 1967. He worked there for 50 years before retiring in 2017.
We didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Guy when we visited the bakery last year but Blaine Downer, wife of his grandson Guy Jr., told us he still stopped in often and didn’t play favorites with their baked goods.
“He, I think, he just loves everything. When he comes here, like it doesn't matter what it is, he looks at it and just takes a bite out of it.”
He retired from Bennison’s when he was 96 but still would come back.
“He's really on the ball. He remembers every fact. He remembers everything, still makes roses, still helps pack cookies.”
Jory Downer shared news of his fathers’ passing on Instagram, describing Guy as the kindest man he knew. He says while working side by side for 40 years, his dad’s kindness and wisdom shaped his life in ways words can hardly express.
Jory said his father told him as he was nearing death “‘as long as I’m with you, I’m comfortable.”
A former employee writes in a tribute that Guy was a big influence on him and a baking pioneer.
A woman who bought her buttercream wedding cake from Bennison’s back in 1989 says it was the best part of their reception.
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