James W. Downs

Born in Decatur, Indiana he settled in Rockland County N.Y. after serving in the U.S. Army as a Corporal, in Korea from 1948-1949. Following the war, he completed his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a graduate degree from New York University. Bill was a lifelong educator, first as a secondary school English teacher at the Brunswick School for Boys, then as a founding faculty member and then Headmaster at the Rockland Country Day School. He closed out his formal career teaching High School English and Journalism at Pascack Valley High School.

He authored numerous articles and books and was a founding member of a local men’s reading group. A consummate fly fisherman, he was active in the local Trout Unlimited Chapter serving as newsletter editor and instructor for Trout in the Classroom where he was able to share his dedication to conservation and appreciation of nature with elementary aged children and their teachers. During retirement he volunteered for Meal on Wheels, enjoyed golf, world travel and became an accomplished watercolor artist.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Anne Barnes Downs, along with his children Amanda, James, and Anita, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Patricia W. Downs in 1999, whom he was married to for 48 years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Downs family.