John Robert Downs

Jack Downs, 33, of San Francisco, California, passed away on November 6th, 2024. Born in San Francisco on September 11th, 1991 to Mary Fitzgerald and Peter Downs, Jack grew up in Burlingame and San Mateo, attending San Matthew’s Catholic School, and graduating from Burlingame High School. From a very young age, Jack displayed an incredible talent for drawing and creating elaborate scenes of pirate ships, castles and knights, wild animals, or whatever was stirring his imagination. His passion and talent for art was encouraged by teachers, friends and nurtured by his loving parents and family.

He loved his Oakland sports teams, a passion he shared with his father’s side of the family, enjoying countless good times at The Oakland Coliseum. Much of his time was spent with his grandparents, Maurice and Alana Fitzgerald and John and Sally Boothby, and had a deep and lifelong relationship with them. He grew up alongside his sister Molly, and they would go on to become great friends with each other and share many adventures. He spent two weeks nearly every summer in Mission Beach, San Diego, enjoying the bustle of the boardwalk goers and the calming presence of the waves and ocean sunsets.

Jack had a deep love of San Francisco, and he lived in the city for the majority of his adult life. He attended The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine art in the spring of 2019. He worked in various small business shops around the city, before settling into a job at Blick Art Materials where he thrived in helping artists find the tools they needed to make their visions come alive. Jack’s biggest passion in life was creating art, specializing in large, vivid, impressionist oil and acrylic paintings of cityscapes, surrealist landscapes, portraits, and colorful expressions of energy and emotions. He would spend most Sunday’s under his favorite palm tree, at Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco, live painting, selling art, and connecting with the locals and park-goers. He showcased and sold his art at various festivals and galleries throughout SF and the Bay Area.

Jack was passionate about what he loved. He was a kind-hearted, sensitive, and humorous soul. His love for his family, friends, and animals was deep and enduring. He was driven to reach out to connect with others facing life’s struggles. Spending time with Jack meant music, stories, laughter, and unforgettable moments in his art-filled room. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will cherish his memory always.

A small private service was held on Thursday November 21 in San Mateo, California