Jerome A. Downs III, husband of 66 years to Martha Rose Liebman Downs and resident of Bethany, passed away at home on August 30.
He was born July 5, 1921 in Waterbury, son of the late Jerome A. Downs II and Mildred Perkins Downs.
He attended Bethany’s one room school house and graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1939. Jerry joined the Army Air Corp (1254th AAF Unit) on April 24, 1943. He flew C‑47 transports in Europe and Africa, serving through March 11, 1946. He continued in the reserves until 1960, attaining the rank of Major. He and his father operated J.A. Downs Well Drilling Co. for a number of years in Bethany, he later worked for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1989.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his children Curtiss (Kay) of Bethany, Kent (Tracy) of Columbia, Marcy Smith (Richard ‘Smitty’) of Alstead, NH, and grandchildren Jesse (Angela), Christian, Nell, Anna, Taylor, Melinda (Tom), Spencer, and great grandchildren Noah, Seth, Sydney, Sam, Olivia, and his faithful dog, Max. He was predeceased by his daughter, Melinda ‘Mindy’ Downs.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Amity Animal Rescue Fund (AARF) PO BOX 1042 Orange, CT 06477.
