Jerome (Jerry) Downs, 71, a retired chief financial officer and longtime resident of North Conway, N.H., died July 28 in North Conway of heart failure.

He was born and raised in Oak Bluffs. After graduation from Oak Bluffs High School in 1955, he entered the College of the Holy Cross where he graduated (magna cum laude) with a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1959. He then earned a graduate degree from the Boston University school of business and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1961. After a varied career as a CPA and chief financial officer, he remained in North Conway in retirement where he was an energetic participant in civic, community, fraternal and church activities. He had been an active board member of Memorial Hospital, the VNA, Eastern Slopes Playhouse and numerous memorial funds. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. His fondness for Snoopy and all the Peanuts gang evolved into an extensive collection and brought enjoyment and delight to all who viewed it.

Jerry, a lifelong bachelor, was predeceased by his parents Charles and Margaret Downs, formerly of Oak Bluffs.

Survivors include four brothers, Charlie (Gaynell) of South Hadley Falls. and Oak Bluffs; John (Jill) of Bridgewater; Mike (Martha) of Alexandria, Va.; Tim of Falmouth and Oak Bluffs; and a sister Mary Butler (Eric) of Mansfield. He is also survived by one niece and 10 nephews, a grandniece and two grandnephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in North Conway on Monday, August 3 at 11 a.m. A committal service will be held on Wednesday, August 5 at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs at 11 a.m.