Your Family Owned and Operated Plumbing Company: All About Bob Downey Plumbing Co. Inc.

George Downey was born in California but raised in the City of Detroit. His family had 9 children and was very poor. They lived next to the St. Bonaventure Capuchin Monastery who helped their family in many ways.

George joined the army where he was a cook. After serving, he worked various jobs until he found plumbing. George trained under and worked with various people until 1965 when he founded Downey Plumbing. He worked out of old vehicles and worked many hours building the company. His dedication to the customers and to providing excellent work built his reputation and served to have many, many repeat customers and recommendations.

George believed in doing everything the “right” way and never believed in cutting corners even if it was in a wall or underground where nobody would see it. He knew the right way and that was all that mattered.

George’s wife, Diane, worked tirelessly behind the scenes taking care of all the paperwork and answering the phones at all hours of the day and night. George brought his son Bob into the company in 1983 and taught him plumbing. Bob went on to become a master plumber and they worked together until this year (2023). Over the past several years Bob has run more and more of the company operations but at the age of 80 George finally decided it was time to retire and turn the business completely over to his son.

George has always given back and the two causes closest to him have been the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and St. Jude. George never forgot what the Monastery did for his family and from the time he was able he has always been very generous in giving back to them. George also believes all children should have the best chance at a happy, healthy life and gives to St. Jude in order to help their mission to achieve those goals.

The legacy George worked tirelessly to build will never be forgotten. Many customers still ask about him and remark on his work and personality. What George Downey has been able to achieve from his meager beginnings to creating a thriving company with multiple vehicles is a testament to what hard work and determination can do.