John W. "Jack" Downs

John W. "Jack" Downs of Stoneham, formerly of Medford, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Lahey Clinic Medical Center. He was 88 years of age.

Born on May 25, 1926 in Medford, Jack was the loving son of the late Irene (Clifton) Downs. Jack was a warm and caring son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be missed by all who were privileged to have known him.

Jack started his career in education as a dedicated Teacher and Coach in Burlington and Stoneham. He later moved on to his hometown of Medford, as a Teacher, Coach and Assistant Athletic Director until his retirement. Jack received many honors including Medford's "Man of the Moment", on more than one occasion, that brought pride and joy to his family, but because he was such a humble man, he rarely spoke of them. During his retirement, he spent much of his time at Unicorn Golf Course, where he could be found working at the front desk or out on the links with friends. He was a mentor and friend to many of his students, many of which he would run into at the golf course. He loved to hear the success stories of those that sat in his classrooms or he coached throughout his years at Medford and Stoneham High School. During World War II, Jack proudly defended our freedom by serving in the United States Navy, and loved to share his stories with his family.

Jack was the beloved husband of the late Martha (Darling) Downs. He was the devoted father of John W. Downs Jr. and his wife Marianne, Jean O'Halloran and her husband John, Jeffrey M. Downs and his wife Elizabeth. The cherished grandfather of Meaghan and Bridget O'Halloran, John W. Downs III, Timothy, Garrett, James and Scott Downs, Jack was the dear brother of Hazel Nims and her late husband Herbert and the late Frances Argiro, James Scali and Mary Ellen Scali. He was the brother in law of Joseph Argiro and Mary Scali. Jack was also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM, Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Jack's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 4-8pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator are available. Interment with Military Honors will take place at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Stoneham. Please honor Jack by making donations in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome