Merlin Cornelius Howard

Merlin Cornelius Howard, Sr., age 86, passed away surrounded by family on August 6, 2022. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 18, 1936. He was the loving father of Merlin “Neil” Cornelius Howard, Jr., Shannon Howard-Eldridge (Garry), Kathryn Howard-Smith (Kevin) and Erin Howard Welk (Wayne); proud and loving grandfather to Joshua Howard, Caroline Howard, Scott Howard, Jordan Howard, Ashley Duhon O’Flynn (Scott), Spencer Smith; Ryan Smith; Emily Smith; Katelyn Welk and Hayden Welk; proud and loving great-grandfather of Natalie O’Flynn and Elise O’Flynn. He was preceded in death by his parents John Francis Howard, Sr. and Lucille Corcoran Howard, and his siblings John Francis Howard, Jr, Edna Howard Falterman and Jeremiah Howard. He was so grateful to Jean Saladino who visited him with Neil daily to provide sweets and snowballs.

Merlin grew up in the Irish Channel of New Orleans. He loved growing up there and enjoyed sharing stories about his childhood. He loved all things “Old New Orleans” including food, architecture, river boats, and traditions, especially Mardi Gras with his children, their cousins, and friends. It was a common sight to see him holding his children on his shoulders at parades. He loved to teach anyone willing to listen about New Orleans history.

In his youth, he graduated from St. Aloysius High School (1955) and then attended Tulane University until his father’s untimely death. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves for seven years, where he served as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate until he was honorably discharged in 1962. He worked at the Michoud facility in New Orleans East and later retired from Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL), where he initially ran a printing press and then ran computer operations. He was a lifelong learner and took pride in teaching himself new things.

Merlin was known to his kids as Dad and Daddy; to his grandchildren as “Hey Dad,” Paw Paw, G-pa and Grandpa, and to his sons-in-law as “Mr. Merlin” and “Merlin.” Regardless of the name he was called, he responded to every request for advice and help. He showed up when he was needed, no questions asked. He attended every function for his children and his grandchildren and spent countless hours supporting their educations and aspirations. Nothing made him happier than to talk about how proud he was of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were his pride and joy.

Merlin loved dogs and often joked that he liked dogs more than people. On his daily walks, he knew the name of every dog on the route. Family dogs Roux, Maggie (Welk), Lily, Daphne, and Maggie (Eldridge) will miss him greatly. We often heard that he was “going to see a man about a dog” and we assume that is what he is doing now.

The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals at UMC New Orleans, who cared for Merlin over the last five years; you gave us the gift of time to spend with him creating priceless memories. To the staff of The Lake Villa House and Heart of Hospice, you helped us to care for our father in a dignified and loving manner, and we are so grateful to each of you who helped us make his last weeks of life happy and comfortable.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday August 20, 2022, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm followed by a Catholic mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery #1 in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Melanoma Research Alliance or The Humane Society of Louisiana.