Downs, James N. Sr.

James N. Downs, Sr., age 74, of Wilmington, died Friday, December 28th, at the Winchester Hospital. Mr. Downs was born in Wakefield, MA, on January 19, 1933; he was son of the late Glenn F. & Phoebe S. (Carpenter) Downs. Jim moved to Wilmington as a youngster when his family purchased the Pettingill Farm in South Wilmington at "Perry's Corner" around 1940. He worked on the farm with his parents and many siblings and this became his first job. He attended the Maple Meadows School in his early years and the old Wilmington High School which later was known as the Swain School.

Prior to retirement, Mr. Downs was a custodian for the Town of Wilmington in the School System for over 42 years, he worked at the Maple Meadows School, Wildwood School, Glen Road School, and Wilmington High School, where he worked the longest. Mr. Downs was a good friend to many students, he loved the kids and they loved him. He would be greatly missed by the students and faculty when he decided to retire in 1995 after many years of faithful service to the town.

In his spare time Jim was very active in the town; he was one of the "founders" and a coach of Wilmington Youth Hockey for many years, and he was dedicated to teaching the kids how to play hockey. From the mid to late 1960’s, Jim played softball for the "Merrimacks" and in later years he was an avid golfer, gardener, sports fan. He loved to travel to Florida with his wife and attended many of the "Wilmington Reunions" that were held there.

Mr. Downs was the beloved husband of 53 years of Fay E. (McCauley) Downs, devoted father of Susan A. Downs & her companion Donald Lord of Wilmington, Sharon M. Downs of Methuen, James N. Downs, Jr. & his wife Mary, and Thomas E. Downs & his wife Donna all of Wilmington, Michael G. Downs & his wife Fernanda and Valerie E. Appiani & her husband Chris all of Tewksbury, loving grandfather of Ashley E. Downs, James N. Downs III, Alyson M. Downs, Thomas E. Downs II, Kimberly F. Downs, and Patrick M. Appiani, dear brother of Francis Downs, Forrest Downs, and Edward Downs all of Wilmington, Clifton Downs of Mansfield, Pauline Russo of Woburn, Stella Flynn of Stoneham, and the late Clayton Downs, Clesson Downs, Harvey Downs, Geneva Morrisson, and Charlotte Gaudette. Mr. Downs is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Downs were private. Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Wilmington Scholarship Fund, c/o Wilmington Town Hall, 121 Glen Road, Wilmington, MA 01887. Arrangements were under the direction of the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., Wilmington.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Downs, James N. Sr., please visit our floral store.