John "Jack" Downing

1943 - 2025

John "Jack" Downing, Jr., 82, of Pittsfield, passed away August 9, 2025, at home, surrounded by his family. Born on February 2, 1943, in Somerville, MA to the late John F. Downing, Sr., and Gertrude Martin Downing. Jack's formative youth was spent growing up in Pittsfield. He graduated from Cranwell Preparatory School and later attended Merrimack College. He returned home to Pittsfield after his first semester to support his mother and eight siblings after the sudden death of his father.

In 1965, Jack married the love of his life Mary J. Tobin on June 12, 1965. Together they raised nine children, seven of whom they adopted, creating a loving and close-knit family.

Jack's career up to 2001 included working in social services, helping individuals with substance and alcohol abuse, establishing the Offenders Advocacy Program and working as the Director of Reintegration and Aftercare Services to support inmates transitioning back into the community.

In 2001, he became the CEO of Soldier On, a private, non-profit agency dedicated to helping homeless veterans restore stability to their lives. He established the organization's veterans' home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a facility dedicated to providing homeless veterans with the resources and support they needed to regain independence through a step-down model of care. In 2008, his powerful testimony to a Veterans Affairs congressional committee resulted in the first equity-based housing for homeless veterans. This first in the nation housing concept for homeless veterans continues to be modeled across the country today.

In tandem with his passion for his work, his family was his focus and love. Jack was a beloved husband of 60 years, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife Mary and their children Jeffrey (Sorrell), Elaine (Daniel Hunter), Michelle (Andrew Schnopp), Christopher, Peter (Whitney), Marlo (Dale Rosko), Michael, and Eric (Aracelis), and was predeceased by his son John. Jack is also survived by his siblings Joseph, Elaine, and Marie, and was predeceased by his siblings Roberta, Mary Ann, Margaret, Gerard, and Michael.

He was the cherished grandfather of Bradbury, Ian (Maria), Emma (Steve), Ian, Jacob, Marybeth (Jonah), Sandra, David, Katie, Hannah (Matthew), Noah, Joshua, Michael, Jeremy (Morgan), Sam, Lily, Annabelle, Emma Claire, Connor, and Carter. He was also the proud great-grandfather of five.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Mala Shetty, Dr. David Albert, Dr. Kyneret Albert, Dr. Sean Mullally, and Dr. Seetha Rama Muthavarapu for their exceptional care during his illness. Mary and her children would also like to thank Bruce Buckley, CEO of Soldier On for being a close confidant to Jack and guiding Soldier On into the future.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.

The Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, August 14, 2025, at The Berkshire Hills Country Club, 500 Benedict Road, Pittsfield, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Soldier On in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, to help continue the work Jack so passionately championed.