ICYMI: Friends mourn ‘kind, gentle’ Guelph man killed in workplace incident

This article previously appeared on GuelphToday.

Cameron Downey was an “incredibly friendly” person in The Ward.

He was often a vendor at The Ward Night Market with his freeze-dried candies he called WTF (Woah That Froze) Candies. “He is incredibly friendly. He was nice,” said Meredith Sweeney, a fellow Ward neighbor and director of The Ward Night Market, in an interview with GuelphToday.

Last Thursday, the Guelph man died while working in Mississauga. The Ministry of Labor is investigating.

“He certainly had a natural ability to draw people to him,” Sweeney said.

At the markets, people were interested in who he was as he had long hair and wore an interesting outfit including a top hat, jewelry and handmade leather cuffs. When he wasn’t selling at one of the markets, she said people would ask where the “candy man” was.

Downey joined The Ward Night Market around the time it started in 2021. Over the summer, one of the market themes was inspired by him since he was involved in the Live Action Role Playing (LARP) community. The Ward Night Market attracted Ward Ren-Faire and encouraged people to dress in Renaissance attire. Sweeney knew he was the person he could go to for advice on the theme and to introduce people as a seller.

She described him as a safe person and “in a non-patronizing way, like a teddy bear.” He helped people set up tables and tents at the markets. People didn’t ask him for help, he just stepped up and told people, “I’ll get it.”

The day before yesterday, Sweeney had spoken with Downey and his mother Charlene, who told her about all the qualities of her son. “They really are an admirable family,” Sweeney said.

His mother informed Sweeney on October 11 that he had died the day before.

Peel Regional Police say they responded to an industrial accident at Dundas Street East and Wharton Way in Mississauga on October 10 around 6 p.m. An adult man in his twenties succumbed to his injuries.

“The workplace accident was not considered suspicious and the Department of Labor took over the investigation,” said Const. Michelle Stafford, public information officer at Peel Regional Police, said in an email.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. It is reported that the employer SecurU Inc. and that the employee was fatally injured after coming into contact with high-voltage wires. Two MLITSD inspectors arrived on scene to investigate. As the investigation is ongoing, no further details can be provided at this time,” the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) said in an email response to GuelphToday’s media inquiry.

Sweeney told a tight-knit group of vendors about Downey’s death and then posted a video with clips of him on social media.

“Cam’s charm, positivity and beaming smile made him a standout at every market he attended, and it was always a pleasure to have him at the forefront where his big personality drew everyone in,” read part of the message.

“I remember how much joy this man gave us every time we went to the market, as if we were friends even though we were strangers. He will be missed by so many,” said one commenter on The Ward Night Market Instagram post.

“The sweetest man. Thank you for these heartbreaking/breaking memories,” another commenter wrote.

“He was such a sweetheart! His absence will certainly be felt. Rest in peace, Cam,” said another.

Sweeney said Downey attended John F. Ross High School and was part of the Community Environmental Leadership Program in 10th grade. A program that counted for school points and that revolved around outdoor experience and leadership. Sweeney was in this program within the Upper Grand District School Board years before.

Knowing that Downey was part of the program and volunteering at the Royal City Mission showed that he was an incredible person “who was on his way to doing such great things in this community, and had already done so, so it’s just a great loss,” Sweeney said. She is devastated for his family. After hearing about him from others, she wished she knew him better.

She called him an amazing person who could have been best friends with hundreds of people.

In his honor, donations will be collected in his name for the Royal City Mission at The Ward Night Market on October 24 at Holy Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church at 115 York Rd.

“Knowing Cam and his mind, we definitely want to have a good time,” Sweeney said.

“I know he enjoyed Halloween, and I know he enjoyed the markets, and he wishes we would keep going and not just make it a somber time. So we will continue with the market as usual, but with that donation in mind. And I know he will be in our thoughts,” she said.