James G. Howard

MILLBURY - James Gerard Howard passed away peacefully at Hattie Ide Chaffee Healthcare in East Providence RI on November 5 2024. James was born in 1933 in New York City. 

 He was the son of the late Anna and William Howard and attended Catholic schools in New York City. He was predeceased by his wife Janet with whom he spent 56 wonderful years of marriage.

 He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 11, 1951 and was a Korean War Veteran. He served aboard the USS Megara, ARV (A) with the 6th fleet in the Mediterranean. He was given an honorable discharge on September 28, 1954. He returned to New York and worked at The First National City Bank on Wall Street for 2 years. He then joined the Ornamental Iron Workers Union as an apprentice and worked all over the country as a journeyman, foreman and superintendent before retiring in 1994.

 A lover of Thornton Burgess’s children’s stories, Jim fulfilled his dream of living in New England when he moved his family from the Bronx to Millbury, Massachusetts. He enjoyed fishing, target shooting, walking in the woods with his beloved dog Oliver and gardening. He never took for granted the beauty of nature.

He leaves his daughter Pamela, from Cumberland RI, his two sons, Patrick and Michael Howard and his wife, Marie of Millbury, MA, He lives 6 grandchildren. Cassidy Howard, Robert Howard, Hannah, Abigail and James Martin, and Skylar Howard. He leaves a great granddaughter Adelyn Hill.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life by gathering for his Funeral Mass on Friday, Nov. 15th at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Assumption, 10 Waters Street, Millbury. Burial will be private.

 If you would like to honor Jim with a donation, please remember him with a donation to Road to Responsibility at 1831 Ocean St. Marshfield, Ma 02050 in honor of his grandson James and the wonderful work they do for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. You can also go to their website roadtoresponsibility.org and make a donation in Jim’s name.

 And finally, if you find yourself thinking of Jim, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and the serenity it brings.