Donald m. howard

Donald M. Howard, 87, died October 6, 2019 at his home. after a long illness. He was born in Astoria, N.Y. on December 15, 1931. During his childhood years, Don resided in New York City, first in the Astoria, Queens and later in Brooklyn, where he spent most of his youth. In 1948 he moved with his family to Birmingham, Alabama where he graduated from Ramsey High School. In 1951, he returned to Brooklyn to marry his beloved high-school sweetheart, Joan Ellen Snow.
Don was predeceased by his father and mother, Milton B. Howard and Alyce Hunt Howard and a brother Robert Howard and his wife Lou Dean of High Point, NC. He is survived by his wife of more than 68 years, Joan Snow Howard, his children: Susan Hubbard (Tom) of Oxford; Richard Howard (Jeannie) of Oxford; Steven Howard (Barbara) of Basalt, CO; and Elyse Rice (Tom) of Oxford. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Jonathan and Kathryn Carey, Shannon Hubbard, Brenton, Christopher and Jeffrey Howard, Kristi Sanchez, Joseph Reynolds, Frank Howard, and Molly and Bridget Rice and 11great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother Peter Howard (Ephy) of Troy, AL and two nephews, Kenneth Howard and Erich Howard (Heather) and a niece, Caroline Howard.
He was employed by the naval architecture firm of George C. Sharp in New York City and Jersey City until 1953, when he moved to Oxford, NY. Don first worked for Investors Diversified Services and later for Preston Hardware in Oxford, before acquiring employment with the Norwich Pharmacal Company in 1956. In 1964, he was appointed Product Manager for Pepto-Bismol and to Marketing Manager in 1980. Don retired from P&G in 1993 after 37 years of service but continued to serve the company as a professional relations consultant for another 9 years.
In 1968, Don was appointed Town and Village Justice in Oxford, serving until 1980 and was a former President of the Chenango County Magistrates Association. He was a very active member of the Oxford Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as Treasurer and President of the Board of Trustees. He was an honorary member of the Oxford Fire Department and served as President of the Oxford Hook and Ladder Company in the 1950's. Don was an honorary member of the Lake Ludlow Club, where he enjoyed a favorite pastime of fishing and enjoying the outdoors with his family. In recent years he spent the winter months at his other home in Ormond Beach, Florida, where he was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Behe Funeral Home Inc. 21 Main Street, Oxford, NY. A committal service at Riverview Cemetery will take place at 3:00 PM preceding calling hours on Thursday, October 10, 2019. Friends and family may call at Foundation Church-Oxford Campus on South Washington Avenue, Oxford, NY, on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 4:00 PM- 5:00PM, funeral service will begin at 5:00PM with reception to follow. Friends and family may share memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com
Don and his family greatly appreciate the compassionate care he received from Hospice of Chenango County. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of Chenango County, Shriners Hospitals for Children or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.