Suddenly on February 27, 2023 at Smiths Falls District Hospital in his 88th year. Born in Toronto in 1934, Howard grew up in the west end but left school to work for the Bank of Commerce upon his father’s death in 1950. There he met Kathleen, a Londoner whom he married in 1958. Brilliant with numbers, but lacking formal education, he was hired as accountant at Canadian Vac-Hyd (later Vac-Aero International) in 1969, retiring at 55 as office manager of the Oakville plant after a stint in the 1970s at dairy and beef farming near Arthur, and dabbling with his own business making Scottish targes in Fergus. Relocated to Smiths Falls where he enjoyed early retirement working on his lawn, curling, golf and many trips across North America as well as England and Scotland. Howard was active in the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club, and served as representative to the Upper Ottawa Valley Seniors Golf Association. Howard also served as president and treasurer of the Smiths Falls Curling Club, and curled into his early 80s. His final years saw his most important accomplishment as unflinching caregiver to Kathleen. A recent cancer diagnosis meant months of radiation treatments for him, but he passed suddenly in hospital from cardiac arrest brought on by sepsis. His resolve to love and care for mum was unshakeable, and he did it with his trademark humility, humour and purpose. Survived by his wife Kathleen Allan of Brockville, and sons Steven (Geri) of York, Pa., John (Alphonso) of Toronto and granddaughter Annie of Baltimore, Md.
