He is survived by his three children, Shirley Lynn of Cocoa, daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Peter Knapp of VA, son and daughter-in-law, Carol and Howard, Jr. of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie, and his three brothers.
Howard was born in Sulfur Springs, New York but spent most of his youth in Pennsylvania. He lived his early years enduring difficult financial times as his father died when Howard was young. He was given work at the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression which was followed by him being drafted to fight in World War II. He was one of our brave soldiers who landed at Normandy, then went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war, he returned to Jennie and they took up residency in Erie, PA. In 1959, they moved their family to Cocoa, FL. He worked at Patrick Air Force Base.
The family enjoyed outdoor activities, including tent camping at Alexander Springs and water skiing. He and Jennie rode a bicycle built for two because she was blind.
He was a boy-scout leader and co-owner of a go cart track. He was a beekeeper, had an orchid greenhouse and was an avid fisherman. After the children left home, Howard and Jennie traveled to all 50 states.
Howard will be remembered for his dedication to helping others including his devotion to the Masons, Shriners, and Eastern Star, where he served as Worthy Patron. He and Jennie were volunteers at Wuesthoff Hospital. He was on call to anyone needing help or repairs and the neighborhood will not be the same without him.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 20 at the Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home on Merritt Island.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children at Tampa, Florida, P.O. Box 237474, Cocoa, FL 32923.
Condolences may be shared at www.wylie baxleymerrittisland.com.
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