Owen was born on July 11, 1922 in New Rochelle the son of John O. and Jane (Barrett) Howarth. On April 18, 1949 he married Kathleen Feeney at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle.
During World War II, he served in the Army anti-aircraft division in Panama and the Galapagos Islands
He was a 1949 graduate of Iona College with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, and in 1971 he received his Master’s degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta.
In 1951, he purchased a dairy farm in the town of Meredith, and also operated a maple syrup business for 38 years. He was active in the community serving 12 years as Supervisor for the town of Meredith on the Delaware County Board of Supervisors.
He was a long time board member of Delaware Opportunities, Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation district and the West Kortright Centre. He served as a board member and president of the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, receiving the Governor Aitken Award for his dedication to rural electrification on local and regional levels.
He served as the operating officer of the Meredith Insurance Company, and was on the Franklin Insurance Company board. He served as an honor guard for the Delhi American Legion Post 190, and was a member of the VFW.
Owen was a former teacher at Charlotte Valley School and BOCES.
He was a former member of St. Mary’s Parish Council, St. Theresa’s Chapel and a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus.
Owen enjoyed travelling, as well as coin collecting. He was an avid stamp collector, and in later years took up hand leather bookbinding.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his son, Mark; his grandchildren, Lucas, Ian, Colin, and Caitlin Howarth of Tucson, AZ; his sisters-in-law Elizabeth Young of Winston-Salem, NC and Anne Feeney of New Rochelle.
He is also survived by many special cousins, and a special friend, Christa Keller.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth in 1970.
A funeral mass will be offered on Monday April 8, 2013 at 10:15 AM in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons, NY.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 2 to 4 PM at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta at which time the family will be in attendance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Honorable Joseph P. Molinari Knights of Columbus Council 4989, 401 County Hwy 9, Oneonta, NY 13820, or a charity of choice.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
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