Howard M. Diver

Middletown, NY

Howard M. Diver, 95, of Harwich, MA, passed away at Pleasant Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brewster, MA on Tuesday, September 23, 2008.

Mr. Diver was predeceased in 2003 by his wife of 65 years, Faith (Arnold) Diver. The Divers moved to Cape Cod from New York State in 1981, following Mr. Diver's retirement from the Middletown Savings Bank, in Middletown, NY. Mr. Diver first began working at the savings bank as an assistant to the janitor while he was in high school. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance, Mr. Diver worked at the savings bank during vacations and took one year off from college to work full time as a teller to earn enough money to complete his college education, which he did in three and one half years. He graduated from Penn in 1936 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and returned to the savings bank, where he held numerous positions, retiring as President of the Bank and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. During WW II, Mr. Diver enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman. At the time of his discharge in 1945, he held the rank of Lieutenant and was stationed in the Philippines as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Pentheus.

Mr. Diver was born in Middletown, NY, on March 12, 1913, the son of DeForest and Mary (Wakeman) Diver. He was predeceased by his brother, Douglas Diver, and his first cousin, Edward Reville, who lived with the Diver family. Mr. Diver married Faith Arnold in Waltham, MA, on July 31, 1938, and they made their home in Middletown, NY, until moving to Cape Cod on July 31, 1981.

Mr. Diver was active in numerous community activities in Middletown, including Braeside (Children's) Health Camp, Rotary Club, Community Concerts Association, Y.M.C.A., and the Horton Hospital (Camillo Wing) Expansion Campaign. After settling in Cape Cod, Mr. Diver was Treasurer of the Eastwind Property Owners' Association for several years and also assisted his wife in her capacity as a member of the Harwich Conservation Commission.

Mr. Diver was an avid gardener who eagerly his carefully tended tomato crop with family, friends, and neighbors every summer. He was an excellent ice skater, skier, and swimmer, who swam laps at Harding's Beach in Chatham as recently as the summer of 2007.

Mr. Diver leaves his daughter, Marjorie Diver Fondulas of Groton, CT; his son, Jeffrey Arnold Diver and his partner, William H. Blackwell of Etna, NY; his niece, Shirley Diver Jenson of Catlett, VA; his nephew, Dr. Robert Reville of Springfield, VT; and two grandchildren, Christopher Fondulas and his wife, Jessie (Hoyt) of New York, NY and Nicholas Fondulas of Groton, CT.

Burial will be private.

Contributions in Mr. Diver's memory may be made to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Inc., 36 Town Woods Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06378, also Cape Abilities Inc., 895 Mary Dunn Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601, or to the American Red Cross.

Arrangements by Coutinho-Boisse Funeral Home, Harwich, MA. For personal guest book, more info or to light a candle, please visit www.cbfuneralhome.com or call 508-432-6696.