Tilton-------Ellis Woodruff Howard, 88, died at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home in Tilton, New Hampshire on Friday, 3 June 2011 of complications from advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Mr. Howard was born in Piermont, New Hampshire on 4 January 1923 to Nita (Palmer) Howard and Ray Woodruff Howard. He graduated from Tilton Junior College in 1942, entered the University of New Hampshire that fall, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He became a plankowner of the USS Bashaw (241) and served in the Pacific Theater throughout World War II. He was recalled to active service in January 1951 and served on the USS Tigrone (419) during the Korean Conflict.
On June 22, 1946 he married Elizabeth Millar of Plymouth, New Hampshire. They lived in Littleton, New Hampshire. Mr. Howard was employed by the New England Power Company, a career that lasted 37 years. The Howard’s had four children while living in Littleton.
In 1966, when the New England Electric System office was moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire, the Howard’s moved to Lebanon and lived there for 32 years. He retired in 1988. In 1998 Ellis and Elizabeth Howard moved to Wildwood in Laconia, New Hampshire. In his lifetime he enjoyed many roles of leadership, in the community, in the church and in Masonry. He was New Hampshire Grand Master of Masons from 1974-1976, a member of the Scottish Rite and received the 33rd degree in 1961, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Mason.
Ellis was a long-time active member of the Congregational Church in Littleton, Lebanon and Laconia, and served as a Deacon of the church many years. He loved the outdoors, including hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, fly-fishing in Pittsburgh, ice-fishing and gardening. He served as the Chairman of the Board of the Mascoma Savings Bank in Lebanon, NH and was named Citizen of the Year in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
In anticipation of the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC he organized a reunion of the plankowners of the USS Bashaw He organized two subsequent reunions in Cleveland, Ohio.
Gracious and with a generosity of spirit and love for all people, Mr. Howard will be missed by his family and many friends including his wife Elizabeth, a daughter, Elizabeth Howard Moorhead of New York City, Peter Howard of Laconia, New Hampshire, James Howard and his wife Ann, of Washington, DC. He was predeceased by his son David Howard of Richmond, Virginia. He has three grandchildren, Paul Howard of Beverly, Massachusetts, Sarah Howard of Boston, Massachusetts and Stephen Howard of Elyria, Ohio and many dear friends and relatives.
He was predeceased by his only sister, Enid Dahlfred Erb, and her son John Dahlfred.
There are no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 11, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Laconia Congregational Church, 69 Pleasant Street Laconia, NH. The Rev. Paula B. Gile Associate Pastor of the church will officiate.
Contributions can be made to the Ellis W. Howard Memorial Fund at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, 139 Winter St., Tilton, NH 03276.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com