CHARLIE J. HOWE

TUNBRIDGE—Charlie James Howe, 95, lifelong resident of Tunbridge, died Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph.

He was born May 4, 1912, in Tunbridge, the oldest son of James Kenworthy Howe and Sena Marion (Whitney) Howe.

He graduated from South Royalton High School in 1930, and from the University of Vermont in 1935, where he was on the cross country team. He married Jean Collins Ainsworth in South Royalton August 31, 1935.

He ran a dairy farm, Howacres, first with his father and brothers, and later on with his sons. From 1962 through the late 1980s, he was a classifier with the Holstein Association, and traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally. He served as a Tunbridge town lister for 16 years and as a school director for seven. He was a mem-ber for over 60 years and a past Master of the Masons. He and his wife were both members of the South Tunbridge Methodist Church.

For more than 20 years, he and his wife spent their winters in Yuma, Ariz. Later in life, he spent winters in Lakeland, Fla.

He was passionate about all of his interests. He enjoyed spending time and keeping up with all of his many family members. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and played poker with friends every Monday evening. He enjoyed completing daily crossword puzzles and playing golf and cribbage. Each summer, he could be found on a tractor in the hay fields, until his official retirement at age 92. He remained independent throughout his lifetime, and was the primary caregiver for his wife late in her life.

He was predeceased by his wife Jean in 1999; a daughter, Ann, in 1946; two brothers, John and Mark Howe, in 1999; and a great-grandson, Marshall Manning, in 2005.

Survivors include three sons: Richard Howe of Lakeland, Fla.; James Howe of Yuma, Ariz.; and Alan Howe of Tunbridge; a daughter, Linda Bellemeur, of Tunbridge and Lakeland, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; five sisters: Abbie Mitchell of Randolph; Mary White of Winchendon, Mass.; Ida Wright of Clearwater, Fla.; Ellen Hamilton of West Brattleboro; and Hazel MacNamara of Plainfield, N.H.; a brother, Luke Howe of Tunbridge and Clearwater, Fla.; and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. at the Tunbridge Church, with Rev. David Wolfe officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Tunbridge Town Hall.

A family burial service will take place at the Button Cemetery in South Tunbridge at a later date.

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