HOWARD OXENBERG

OXENBERG--Howard, born July 27, 1919 died peacefully on the night of June 25, 2010 surrounded by the family he loved. He is survived by his children Starr Oxenberg, Robert Oxenberg, Catherine Van Dien and husband Casper, Christina Oxenberg, Ashley Harcourt and husband Scott, and grandchildren, Mari, Luna, India, Celest and Maya, and one great-grandchild, Magnolia. Born in New York, Howard always knew he was destined for a rich and colorful life. He had natural movie star good looks and a shrewd mind. He started off in life without much but with tremendous courage to overcome any obstacle. He taught himself to become a champion swimmer and was a member of the Aquacade. His athleticism earned him a college scholarship and also saved him from the front lines of battle in WWII as he was assigned by the Navy to teach hundreds of sailors how to swim. Howard created many successful ladies clothing lines and was the first to mass market maternity dresses. He sold his businesses at age 50 and retired to the good life. He taught himself to ski and play tennis and was soon dominating both sports with his grace and agility and refusal to ever be second best. Howard owned homes in New York City, Southampton, and Palm Beach and devoted himself to a social circuit of fine friends, parties, back-gammon, and traveling. Anyone who knew Howard knew he was the life of the party with his wide smile and easy laugh and desire to cheer. He lived a life quite unique and as he said so often, "I'm one in a million." And that he was.