Howard Patrick Bowdring

Howard Patrick Bowdring of Alexandria, VA passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023, surrounded by family members. Howie was born on January 11, 1931, in Boston MA, to Patrick Joseph Bowdring and Katherine Devereaux Bowdring. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers James, Joseph, and Robert and is survived by his sister Nancy Bowdring of Chestnut Hill, MA.

Howie met the love of his life, Mary Bassette, at St. Clement Elementary School in Somerville, MA, but they did not start dating until senior year. At St. Clement High School Howie was senior class president, and a star football, basketball, and baseball player. He entered nearby Tufts University where he also played football, basketball, and baseball for all four years. Midway through college he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually handpicked to serve in Company A, 3rd US Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard”, at Ft. Myer VA. He loved this ceremonial duty and was honored to participate in numerous events and funerals in the D.C. metropolitan area. Upon release from active duty, he married Mary and graduated from Tufts in 1957 with a degree in history.

Howie had a long and successful career in the insurance industry, capped by owning his own insurance brokerage business. In 1965 he and Mary moved a growing family of eventually nine children from the New York metropolitan area to the Belle Haven neighborhood of Alexandria.

He instilled the love of sports into his children and alongside Mary they spent countless hours officiating swim meets and other children’s sporting events, running daily carpools and hosting continuous cook outs. Everyone remembers him carefully guarding racks of bacon from salivating dogs and grandkids, holding court at the grill while feeding an army or grandly slicing a holiday turkey. Howie was not only the best short-order cook for the “restaurant” on 170 Standish, but also the resident animal whisperer with his love of dogs. His wit and zest for life were always present and he loved being surrounded by children, especially his grandchildren who called him “Pop.”

His favorite adventure was driving the family to Marshfield, MA, to spend time with his extended Massachusetts family each summer. Howie and Mary would pack the station wagon in the evening with luggage, adding the kids at 4 a.m. the next morning; to this day the “kids” still reminisce (complain) of being packed in like sardines. Eventually Howie and Mary purchased and renovated their own cottage in Marshfield which they enjoyed for thirty odd summers. Whether it was hair-raising Boston Whaler trips to Provincetown or lobstering, each day seemed to be a celebration of good times, laughs and friendship. You could tell Howie was always having a grand old time. In another life he might have been a carpenter like his father as he was constantly tinkering, fixing, painting, gardening or seeking out a new project. He was never still and was always the first on the dance floor, hopefully to his favorite songs “Joy to the World” and “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”.

Howie was married to Mary for 55 years until her death in 2009. He was predeceased by his children Maryann, Howard, Jr., and Arline. In addition to his sister Nancy, he is survived by his children Michelle (Bob) Shaw of McLean, Katherine Bowdring of Alexandria, Nancy (John) Mino of Gates Mill, OH, William (Lauri) Bowdring of Alexandria, Patricia (Ray) Gordon of Potomac Falls and Elizabeth Bowdring of Alexandria; daughter-in-law Stacy Bowdring of Alexandria; fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.