Name: Visitation for Bruce Howard
Start: 2018-09-10T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-09-10T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Abriola Parkview Funeral Home

Bruce C. Howard
Bruce C. Howard, age 73 of Stratford, beloved husband of Freda Peterson Howard, passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born on February 20, 1945 in Bridgeport, he was a son of the late Walter and Apras Jacob Howard. After high school, Bruce served his nation with pride in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he served on the Bridgeport City Police Department, working his way up to earn the rank of Captain. While serving with the Bridgeport Police, he remained in the U.S. National Guard for over 20 years. After his retirement, he was a football coach at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield. He was a truly great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, coach and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife Freda of 29 years, he is survived by his son, Gregg Howard of Florida, step daughters Robin Hoffmann and her husband Wayne of Monroe, Dawn Thomas and her husband William of Newtown, and Gina Bracken and her husband John of Stratford, his sister Lee Villella of Florida, six step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, and his niece Gina Villella and nephews Anthony and John Villella. He is predeceased by his brother, Ronald Howard. Funeral services with full military honors will take place on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may greet the family on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 4- 7 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bruce's name can be made to either the Notre Dame High School Fairfied, Advancement Office, 220 Jefferson Street, Fairfield, CT 06825 or to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Hospital Office of Development, PO Box 1849 New Haven, CT 06508-9979. To leave an online condolence, visit us at www.abriola.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post on Sep. 9, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Howard

Sponsored by Abriola Parkview Funeral Home.

13 Entries

Charlene Schatra

September 11, 2018

Gregg, Barbara & Family...
I knew him when he was a young man...A Bridgeport police officer, a weekend National Guardsman, relative, dear friend, husband and Dad...
I was your maid of honor,
my daughter was the flower girl in your wedding to my cousin Barbara. I was there when Gregg was born. I was there for the happy and sad days. I remember your kindness and caring.
Memories are flooding in as I think about your legacy and how many people loved you. Bruce, you loved life and your only son with all your heart.
You waited for Gregg to say your last good bye...
I am thankful to God he let you stay long enough to see your son one last time.
Fly with the Angels and forever be lovingly remembered as a man of
all seasons who lived life honorably and well...
Your journey has ended and your legacy lives on...~❤~...
My sincere sympathy to your
entire family...
May God give you all strength for the coming days ahead...

Gabriel Bonanni

September 11, 2018

My deepest condolences to Gregg and entire Howard family for your loss. I cherished the chats your dad and I would have, even as an alumnus. He must've been a great soldier, officer, coach, father,...man. May the Lord's light shine upon him so he may rest in peace.

Mary Ann Nemergut

September 10, 2018

Dear Greg & family,
I am sorry I cannot attend the funeral services for your dad due to a prior commitment. I do want you to know that you are in my thoughts & prayers.
I cannot believe I will be going to ND football & basketball games & not see your dad there but I know he will be with us in spirit.
Mary Ann Nemergut

Bridget Sedgwick

September 10, 2018

as my father's partner on the Bpt police force, you will always be remembered as the funny guy to my Dad's serious side. we will miss you always.

Cliff La Rose

September 10, 2018

Pop's was the best I have coached at many schools but ND was better because of Pop's .
He will be missed !

Retired girl's basketball Coach Stratford High School

Jeff Bevino

September 9, 2018

Pops favorite pre game speech
Dear Lord, the battles we go through life, We ask for a chance that's fair, A chance to equal our stride, A chance to do or dare, If we should win, let it be by the code, Faith and Honor held high, If we should lose, we'll stand by the road, And cheer as the winners go by. Day by Day, we get better and better

Pops I miss you so much

September 9, 2018

Always a gentleman and a person who would do anything for you. He deeply cared for the ND players both on the field and perhaps more importantly off the field. He really could not hide that kind heart behind the gruff exterior. He will be missed by many.
-Neil Kelly

Tom Scanlon

September 9, 2018

My deepest condolences are extended to the Howard Family. While Bruce touched the lives of many people through the military, Bridgeport PD where we worked together, and Notre Dame High School after his retirement, what was most impactfull was the example and interaction with the students at Notre Dame. He touched the lives of so many young adults there and for that he should be forever remembered and emulated. He will be sadly missed by so many. Rest In Peace my brother in blue.

Rose Mannino

September 9, 2018

Freda and family,
Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. So sorry fro your loss.

Jason Sapp

September 9, 2018

Mr. Bruce Howard aka "Pops", a true Notre Dame man through and through, was and will always be a part of my high school football experience (ND, Class of 2000) that I could not be more thankful for and will never forget.
I was a kid from a rough area of Bridgeport that fortunately had a young mother who knew she needed to put me in the private school system to keep me focused - away from negative influences and distractions - and obtain the type of education and guidance to put me in position to achieve the goals that I should and would eventually achieve.
The issue was - I wasn't really sure what those were yet. Cue Pops' entry into my life.
As anyone who has ever donned the gold helmet for the NDHS Lancers during his era could tell you at different lengths, Pops, for me, was a father figure on the sidelines. He was a first-to-show
-up and last-to-leave type of guy, a motivator, hard worker, believer and full of pride - someone to truly aspire and emulate with my approach to football, being a good person in society, representative of my high school and eventually father & husband.
There are countless stories and recollections of our interactions over the years dating back to the moment I decided to play football in high school to as recent as the past year and now having a son playing high school football. But 3 quick highlights for me include 1) the pride-filled hug I received following my high school graduation 2) having him travel to South Bend, IN to watch me play for the Irish and 3) the phone call I received after he learned that I was inducted into the NDHS Hall of Fame - Pops never missed a beat.
With the rough and tough exterior, inside there was a loving and proud man - who will be truly missed.
Much love Pops, now and forever, and Go Irish!
-- JSapp

margo nalewajk

September 9, 2018

One of the nicest officers that I ever worked with. He also lived near my mother in law and was good to her and made her feel safe. My prayers to the family.

Pete Stevens

September 8, 2018

RIP Brother

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results