Leonard H. Howard

NORTH TRURO — Leonard H. Howard died on June 18, 2008, surrounded by family, in his home in North Truro.

Born in 1920, in Bayonne, N.J., Len spent most of his life in the hardware business starting as a youngster in his grandfather's store. During World War II, he worked for the Air Materiel Command of the U.S. Air Force, putting his Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania to good use.

He married the former Judith Schaffer in 1945 and made his home in West Orange, N.J., where he continued to live until 1999 when he retired to Truro. He and Judy had two children, Susie Howard of Eastham and the late Chuck Howard of Bedford.

After the war, Len became an expert in industrial cutting and joined Hyde Tools, representing the company to the hardware industry. He soon established Technical Supply to import tiny hobs used for cutting the involute gears needed for mechanical timing devices and continuing to represent Hyde, but to industrial manufacturers only. His unique ability to configure tools and blade edges for specific uses made him a friend and much needed asset for his clients.

Len won many awards for community service, among them the Hannah G. Solomon Award for Services to Children and Youth, Citation for Meritorious Service from President Johnson's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Minority Economic Development by both the National and New Jersey Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, and a Citation for his Zeal and Effort on behalf of Citizens and Employees of Essex County in promoting Fiscal Responsibility, Moral Support, and Integrity to this Pension Fund. Several years ago, Mr. Howard was nominated as Truro Treasure.

Len loved finding ways to make connections. He initiated a weekly men's conversation group at the COA as a forum for discussion of issues ranging from politics to development, from health care to car care; and participated in the Laughing Lifters, a three times a week exercise class also at the COA of which he was a joyous participant, where, all would say, his responsibility clearly fell to keeping them laughing.

Len became an ardent hobbyist after buying his house in Truro in 1977. After taking a "found" metal course at Castle Hill, he created the large outdoor junk sculptures displayed throughout his grounds, getting most of his raw materials from the Town dump. He also became an avid antique tool collector, focusing on items that 17th and 18th century farmers and tradesmen made for themselves to solve practical problems.

Upon his retirement from business, Len brought his considerable skills and willingness to work to the town of Truro, where he served on the Truro Partnership, the Town Building Committee and the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill. A real delight came from working on the Town Recycling Committee, where he was able to use some of his old business connections to forge a relationship between recycled paper from Truro and the need for bulk paper in industry.

Len Howard leaves his wife of 63 years, Judy; a daughter, Susie, and her husband, Lloyd; a daughter-in-law, Lee Vorderer, and son-in-law, Bob Bass, of Bedford; five grandchildren, Harlen, Aaron and Jillian of Eastham, Derek and his wife, Lorena, of Tucson, Ariz., and Keith and his wife, Katie, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rhoda Kagan, of Caldwell, N.J. Also bereaved are the three wonderful women, Jeanne Dore, Suzanne Nickerson and Isabel Robinson, who helped keep him out in the world when he was no longer able to do so independently.

Len will be remembered at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2008, at the Pamet Harbor Yacht Club, 7 Yacht Club Road, Truro. All his friends as well as friends of the family are invited. The family will be at home Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. Prayer services will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Instead of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the Friends of the Truro Council on Aging (FTCOA), Box 1011, Truro, MA 02666.