Rev. Charles H Howell

Affectionately known as Father Chuck, he was called to the Episcopal parish in 2006.

"Father Chuck's gift, I think, was in knowing how to treat each demographic in a way that made everybody feel like they were getting proper attention," said parishioner Sam Williams of Stapleton, adding how much he appreciated the pastor's humor, calmness, deep knowledge of the Bible and compelling sermons "reminiscent of a top-notch college seminar."

"He was truly an inspiration," said Christ Church parishioner Willie F. Black Jr., who recalled the priest's drive and passion during a recent capital campaign; the congregants ultimately exceeded their monetary goals.

Father Chuck also was known for dispensing ashes at the St. George Ferry Terminal on Ash Wednesday, participating in immigration rallies and, according to the Rev. Terry Troia of Project Hospitality, "upholding the diversity of his congregation and his community."

"He worked very hard at embracing the West African community in his church," said Rev. Troia. "He was a gracious, gentle, loving soul, very spiritual, very committed to the homeless shelters on Staten Island."

Father Chuck welcomed a group from Project Hospitality to sleep in the church's gymnasium each night.

A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., he followed in the tradition of his father, the late Rev. Joseph A. Howell, as an Episcopal priest. His mother was the late Georgia Bale Howell.

His career took him around the country. A graduate of the University of Chicago, where he majored in the history of religions, and the former Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, also Chicago, he took a job as a social worker for the Department of Public Welfare in Boston in the late 1980s. It was in Boston that he met Elizabeth (Liz) Amatruda, who would become his wife in 1988.

His ministering career brought him back to Grand Rapids, where he served for 11 years at Grace Church, eight of them as rector. He was a founder and the first vicar of Sudanese Grace Church, a congregation of mostly Sudanese refugees.

In the fall of 2006, Father Chuck accepted the call to Christ Church New Brighton, becoming its 10th rector.

Friend and colleague the Rev. Roy Cole, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Rosebank, said, "Father Howell was a significant presence on Staten Island, not only in the Episcopal Church, but in the larger community. He had a wonderful capacity to minister to people from all walks of life, truly exemplary to all of us."

Father Howell served as Dean of the Clericus, a position likened to that of a senior cleric and ombudsman between borough clergy and the bishop.

"He was compassionate, funny, well-spoken, thoughtful ... just a great guy to have around," said Deacon Geraldine Swanson. She marveled at the "innovative" programming Father Chuck brought to the church, including an after-school arts program.

"He took a church that was in dire straits and is now probably the strongest Episcopal parish on Staten Island," said Deacon Swanson.

Surviving Father Chuck, along with Elizabeth, his wife, are his daughter, Georgia; his brother, Joseph; his sisters, Lisa Campos and Meredith Soddy; his stepmother, Jeanne Howell, and many nieces and nephews.

He will be waked in Christ Church on Friday, July 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The funeral mass will be Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m. in Christ Church. Arrangements, including cremation, were handled by the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date.