Howard Bertram Carroll

1927 - 2018

Howard B. Carroll, 91, died July 11, 2018, in an accident fixing the deck on the home he loved in Harbor Springs, MI. Howard felt he lived a blessed life and looked for opportunities to help those around him. He did so to the end. In his younger days, he fixed motors and repaired sails on innumerable boats, and taught countless Menonaqua kids to water ski and sail. A natural athlete and youngest player in Yale's history to earn a varsity football letter, Howard contributed not only to winning football but tennis and basketball teams. Howard also shared his talents at social gatherings, lending his rich tenor to harmonies. Without much prompting, he'd pull out his gutbucket or clarinet. No less adept in workplace harmonies, Howard prided himself on the fair environment he fostered at Sheldon Machine Company as its president. He loved his work, relished solving its challenges and was awarded several patents. In later years, Howard made and gave away "busy bee" whirligigs, volunteered to fix just about anything and taught his contemporaries the fine points of texting, FaceTiming and editing pictures on the computer. But his greatest joy was caring for his love, "buddy" and wife of 67 years, Virginia. Regardless of his time of life, Howard contributed boundless love to his family. Howard is survived by his daughters Gina Carroll Howard of Charlotte, NC.; Mary Beth Masimore (Lyle) of Harbor Springs, MI; and Nancy Hoag (Ned) of Littleton, CO; son David Carroll of Fort Myers, FL; and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Virginia Armstrong Carroll; son Howard B. Carroll, Jr.; and grandson Mark C. Howard. A memorial will be held on July 30, 2018, at Holy Childhood of Jesus Church in Harbor Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Manna Food Project, 8791 McBride Park Ct., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, mannafoodproject.org, or The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, 349 E. Main St., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, harborspringshistory.org