Howard Jon Brundage

Ledyard - Howard Jon Brundage, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and music educator, passed away on May 20, 2011, at age 78. An accomplished musician, composer, and conductor, Howard awakened a love for music in the thousands of students he taught and directed during his more than 35 year teaching career in Groton and New London. At New London High School, where he was the department chair of music for 20 years, Howard is credited with creating innovative classes and growing the school's struggling band from 20 to 110 students in just one year. Howard brought student enthusiasm for music to new heights during his tenure at the high school with his award winning stage band ensembles and crowd rousing marching bands. The Howard J. Brundage Music Scholarship is now in its second year at NLHS.

Howard was a graduate of the Boston University College of Music with a master's degree in administration from Bridgeport University. He was president of the Groton Education Association, a leader with the Connecticut Educator's Association on salary negotiations, and actively involved in civic life as a longtime member of the Groton Water Authority. Howard belonged to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Gales Ferry, where for decades he was the choir director and an inspiring vocalist and trumpet soloist. Throughout his teaching career, he further supported his family by working nights as a security officer for several facilities including the Naval Underwater Systems Center and Millstone Power Station.

Together with his wife, Mary, Howard wrote several children's musicals, "Uncommon Tutankhamun," "A-Whaling," and "Moon Rocks," performed by students at Solomon Schechter Academy and Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London. He was a musical director for productions including "Oklahoma!" and "Annie Get Your Gun," and a performer in "Mr. Roberts" at Bridgeport's Polka Dot Playhouse.

Howard was a professional trumpeter who played alongside Louis Armstrong during one of his many performances with the Boston University Alumni Band and most recently was a member of the local jazz big band, String of Pearls.

In his retirement, he continued his work as an educator through the Academy of St. Therese, a private Catholic K-8 school in Gales Ferry, co-founded by his wife. He was devoted to the school as a volunteer and a violin and substitute teacher.

Howard was born on Nov. 20, 1932, in East Norwalk, to the late Harold and Margaret (Glynn) Brundage. He often shared stories of his Depression-era childhood and raising chickens and selling eggs door-to-door from his little red wagon. In later years, Howard enjoyed boating and fishing in the Mystic River, coaching his four daughters' softball teams, building stone walls, gardening, and watching his much-loved New York Yankees.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Brundage; his four daughters, Bonnie Cummings of Salem, Beth Murphy of Falmouth, Mass., Briana Webber and Brita Belli, both of Fairfield; seven adoring grandchildren; and a brother, Harold Brundage of Naples, Fla.

He was predeceased by a sister, Marge Hill, of Norwalk.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry. His burial will follow in the Avery-Stoddard Cemtery, Ledyard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Howard's memory to the Academy of St. Therese, 18 Hurlbutt Road, Gales Ferry CT 06335.

Please visit www.byles.com for the family's online registry.