John Joseph (Jay) Downs Loving husband, father, grandfather and life-long teacher MASHPEE, MA – John Joseph (Jay) Downs, 75, ormerly of Montpelier, VT passed away on February 7, 2011 after a lengthy illness. Jay was the son of John and Marguerite (Doyle) Downs. He was born in Montpelier, VT, on June 1st, 1935. He attended Saint Augustine Elementary School and in 1953 graduated from Saint Michael's High School. In 1957 he graduated from College of the Holy Cross, with a bachelor of arts majoring in Economics. He served on the Sanctuary Society, Student Congress, Intramurals, Glee Club and the Varsity Quartet. In the late 1950s he served with the Vermont National Guard. During his Army career, due to his initiative, readiness to compete and will to succeed Jay was recognized by the United States Army for having graduated as Honor Graduate in his Field Communications Crewmans Course. Furthering his desire to learn, he attended graduate school at Boston College earning a masters degree in Economics. He was employed by New England Life Insurance Company and Massachusetts Blue Cross & Blue Shield, where he was Assistant Vice President, Actuarial and Underwriting. Following his career at Blue Cross & Blue Shield he joined M&R Services (affiliated with Milliman & Robertson Consulting Actuaries, Seattle, WA) as Executive Director of Administration and Systems, Cape Cod, MA. In the mid to late 1990s, Jay went to work for the State of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health as Capitol Projects Coordinator. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Valerie (Simms) Downs of Mashpee, MA. In addition to Valerie, Jay's survivors include his daughter Julia Anne, and husband Todd Conover of West Newbury, MA; his daughter Tricia Lynn of Boston, MA; and his daughter Nina Lyn Innocenti, and husband Alastair Ross-Bell of London, England. In addition to his children, he is survived by five granddaughters Madeline, Audrey, and Kate Conover of West Newbury, MA, and Olivia and Anna, of London, England. The funeral Mass for Jay will be at Saint Augustine Catholic Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, at 11am, Friday, February 11th. Prior to the 11am Funeral mass, a calling hour at Guare and Sons Funeral home will take place from 9:30-10:30am, at 30 School Street, Montpelier, VT. Donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, McCarthy Care Center, 73 Service Road, East Sandwich, MA 02537. Those wishing to send on line condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com and go to Jay's obituary.