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Died of lung failure at Northumberland Hills Hospital on December 14. Much loved brother of Valerie and brother-in-law of Bill Kennedy of Campbellford, predeceased by loving parents Philip and Mavis Smith of Grafton.
My brother Howard was always a non-conformist.
Born in Montreal to British immigrants, Howard found ways to distinguish himself very early in life. At the age of about five, he was calling out rude English greetings to mostly Francophone commuters walking home from the train station on our small island. When our atheist father told him we couldn’t afford outdoor Christmas lights on our trees like so many of our neighbours had, Howard went around the island selectively removing lights and brought them home in a bag. Our dad then had to go door-to-door trying to return them. He also once almost flooded a neighbour’s basement putting a hose through a window he could reach. But no matter what Howard did, all of our mostly French-Canadian neighbours loved him. Realizing Howard’s parents couldn’t help much in matters of Canadian winters, they taught him to skate and play hockey, and even attempted to teach him to ski. Many of those neighbours remained life-long friends.
At 13, Howard and I were uprooted from our comfortable existence in Montreal when our father was transferred to Toronto. We lived in Toronto for about two years. Having moved from Quebec, Howard was called a frog by his new schoolmates, and a French teacher even asked him to stand up and sing Frère Jacques so the class hear a real Québec accent. As I recall, Howard didn’t complete that course.
Then all of a sudden, our parents moved us from the city to a farm in Grafton. Howard adjusted, barely flinching when his pet pig Arnold came home in brown butcher paper. But the isolation wore on him. As soon as he got his driver’s licence at 16, he bought his first car with money earned working on tobacco farms, and so began his love of driving and of all things motorized.
At 17, lying about his age and with the help of a family friend, Howard was able to join the Seafarers’ International Union and got a job with Canada Steamship Lines on a freighter for a couple of years. After that, he found another way to keep moving, joining the crew at McLean Chimney and travelling back and forth across Canada servicing smokestacks.
When he returned to Cobourg, he worked for many years selling cars, first at Quantrill and then at Thomas Motors. During that time, Howard discovered a favourite pastime, buying and selling houses. When he could afford it, he also had boats. When he travelled, his favourite destinations were Florida and Las Vegas.
After a relatively sedentary career in car sales, he took to the road again and started long-distance hauling. He and his driving partner travelled from Toronto to western Canada and then down to Texas and back every week. He loved the long drives, the wide-open spaces, and the sunsets. He almost always took a motel room during their brief stopover in Texas, where he befriended locals and consumed Mexican food with gusto.
Howard was happiest at work. He had to keep busy and loved making money. Health issues in recent years had made it difficult for him to work and he was giving up on finding a job he could do, when he got hired a few months ago by Cobourg Taxi. He really enjoyed driving a cab and said he wished he’d started doing it years before. He met lots of interesting people, saw an interesting cross-section of society, and really liked the tips.
Friendship and loyalty were all-important to Howard. He was generous and kind. He shared his wealth whenever he had it. He had a wonderful sense of humour. He cared about people and hated injustice. Despite doctors’ warnings, he continued to drink and smoke. He lived his life the way he wanted to. As a friend of his said to me the other day, Howard could never have been vanilla.
I loved him very much. His friends loved him. They recognized that under his prickly and gruff exterior he had a really warm heart and a really good soul.
He’ll be sorely missed by all of us, especially me.
If desired, donations may be made to the Northumberland Hills Hospital ICU.
I worked for Howie at Thomas Motors ("driving" for the used car dept) after Kelly Hogg introduced me to him. He always treated me very well as his employee. My condolences!
Dear Valerie, I’ve just heard of Howard’s passing. I was in his life at the beginning and end. He was the handsome new guy in grade 9. I talked to him just days before he passed. He seemed happy to be driving cab . I’ll miss him.
Bill and Valerie, was sorry to hear of Howard's passing. I got to understand exactly what you meant when you claimed Howard to be a non-conformist in my years working with him at Thomas - and I loved it. He was fun. I always looked forward to Christmas with Mike and Julie as we could almost guarantee Howard would be back from his tour south. There were always stories about near misses (Mrs. too) with Shaggy, and other interesting stories. He really knew how to entertain a crowd and I will miss him.
Hi Val and Bill I am sorry to hear of Howard's passing and my Condolences to you both. I just ran into Howard at Pioneer Gas in Cobourg a few weeks ago filling up the Taxi. I first met Howard when I was cleaning the windows at your Dad's house on Pipeline Road many years ago and then met you after that. I bought two cars through Howard when he worked at Thomas Motors too. Howard was an interesting guy. He had his quirks but he had a good heart. He will be missed.
Had some great times with Howard. He was a pain in the ass at times. He always supported me. He was a man among men and a boy among boys. Will miss you Howard. Untill we meet again. Keep your knees together if you trip and fall. RIP. Cheers.
Val and Bill, sorry for your loss . Sincere condolences and we are thinking of you guys at this sad time.
you will be missed buddy,had a few good times together ,rest in peace my friend
I knew Howard for close to 40 years. He was a character unlike any other. He made me laugh and regaled me with his endless colourful stories. Of late were many about his road trips and Texas hotel home. We had dinner a few times in recent months, he always chose the Keg. It was nice, more stories and reminiscing about our lives. He had his own life rules and lived exactly the way he wanted to. He was a good man. “He did it his way” Godspeed Howard.
Valerie I'm sorry to hear of Howard's passing...beautiful write up of his life
Valerie, We always enjoyed visits with Howie when he came into the store, often with Chris! Sincere condolences.
Valerie - I remember Howie during his high-school years. He often frequented my parents' variety store. He lived life his way! My condolences to you and your husband.
We were sorrowed to hear of Howard's passing. We got to know Howard through neighbourhood get togethers in Grafton many years ago. Life got busy and we lost touch with him until he came to us one day and wanted to know about driving truck for a living. We gave him a few leads and we even worked for the same company for a while, he really did enjoy the long haul trucking. Rest in peace Howard, you will be missed. Doug & Linda Horner
Dear Valerie and Bill I'm so sorry to read about Howie. God bless
Oh Howie, a friend for many many years..Mr impatient Mr Impulsive, a lover of Cars, Houses, Women, Fast boats and right wing politicians! None of which he kept for long. I will miss you Howie. Terry
Sorry to hear about Howard. He will be missed.
Valerie and Bill. We are so sorry to hear about Howards passing. I was shocked when I saw it. I and most certainly Jeff have very fond memories of Howard. I always loved chatting with him and hearing the antics that he got up to with Chris and Jeff. Please know we are thinking of you and send our condolences. Love Jeff and Judi
Valerie and Bill, its been years since seeing all of you however, Howie messaged me out of the blue early November…we had a good catch up chat. Sending my deepest condolences on Howard’s passing..May he rest in peace.
S'il y a réellement un ciel, Howard et André sont maintenant réunis. Valérie, j'ai été captivé par l'histoire que tu as racontée sur ton frère. Moi, Ginette, j'ai ressenti une profonde affection pour lui, car il était réellement l'ami de mon conjoint décédé. Au Chalet à St-Donat, nous avons ri avec toi et Howard, tout comme à Saint Lazare. Un bon souvenir d'Howard reste gravé dans ma mémoire. Mes plus sincères condoléances, ma chère Valérie.
Howie went to high school at CCI east. He was in some of my classes. He was my friend. I appreciate you well written description of his life's journey. He will be missed and remembered as the great character he was. Deepest condolences.
What an extraordinary life you have lived. Rest peacefully in paradise
Dear Valerie I’m shocked to read of Howard’s passing. We have been friends for 40 plus years. Your obituary was Howard to a T. Will miss his phone calls and visits. R.I.P. Howard Deepest Sympathy & God Bless
Valerie, I am so sorry to hear of Howards passing. He was a sweet kind fellow. We worked together for a brief time. Take care and Cherish your fondest memories together! ❤️ Rest easy Howard you will be missed.
I didn’t know Howard.. but what an extraordinary life he lived !!! He had adventures that many of us can only dream about . My sincere sympathy to you and your family ..you have lost a gem !