Philip Finn, at 88; headed E.B. Horn jewelry company

“He was a competitor,’’ said his son Richard, of Wayland. “He believed that whatever you did, you gave it your all. You did your best.’’

Mr. Finn, former president of E.B. Horn Co., the venerable downtown Boston jewelry company, died of a brain tumor July 30 in his Newton home. He was 88.

Mr. Finn was born in Worcester, and his family later moved to Brookline. He attended Brookline High School, where he starred on the football team before graduating in 1938.

He attended Tufts University, where he studied economics and pre-med and was a small-school All-America halfback on the football team. Throughout his life, Mr. Finn remained passionately devoted to his alma mater. He rarely missed a homecoming game, even in foul weather. He and his brother established an annual need-based scholarship at Tufts in their parents’ name.

“His favorite thing was meeting the students,’’ said his son. “Every year, the kid [who won the scholarship] would come into E.B. Horn. He always got a kick out of that.’’

Ninety days after he graduated from Tufts in 1942, Mr. Finn enlisted in the Navy. He rose to the rank of lieutenant commander, and commanded a sub chaser. He served in both the Pacific and North Atlantic theaters of World War II.

In 1946, Mr. Finn married Marolyn Cohn of Brookline. They were married for 38 years until her death in 1984 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

After the war, Mr. Finn went to work at E.B. Horn in Downtown Crossing. Bought by his grandfather Ben Finn in 1839, it is one of Boston’s oldest family-owned jewelers. He also owned the Carter Brothers jeweler in Portland, Maine, which, like E.B. Horn., specialized in fine antique jewelry. He stayed at E.B. Horn for more than 60 years, retiring as president in 2007.

In 1986, he married Carol Bernstein of Boston.

Throughout his life, Mr. Finn remained loyal to his family and community. His advice was highly valued, and many people sought counsel from him. “He was always there for everybody,’’ said his sister-in-law Lois Finn, of Brookline. “If anyone had a problem, they could go to him.’’

Mr. Finn was a 32d degree Mason, a Shriner, and a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International. He also was a longtime member of Temple Shalom in Newton.

He also was an avid golfer and bridge player. He took great joy in travel, thriving on experiencing different cultures.

Mr. Finn was an active philanthropist, motivated by a deeply held belief in giving back to one’s community. He was an active supporter of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Anti-Defamation League, and many other charities. His involvement was often hidden from public view.

“He was a modest man in his own right,’’ Richard said. “He didn’t always tell many people about the things he was involved in. He didn’t want plaques.’’

In addition to his son and wife, he leaves another son, Leonard, of Needham, and several grandchildren. Services have been held.