Howard Songey

1925 - 2022

Howard Songey
February 27, 1925 - May 25, 2022
Resident of Castro Valley, CA
"The best portion of a good man's life is his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love." (William Wordsworth)
Howard passed away at home in the early morning hours of May 25, 2022. He was born to Arthur and Winifred Songey in Berkeley CA on February 27, 1925. He was predeceased by his sister Winifred Smith Urfer and brother Doug Songey.
Howard was raised in Berkeley and Calistoga CA. He received his driver's license at the age of 12 so that he could drive his father who was also his best friend, and who was ill, around the St. Helena/Calistoga/Angwin area and to their ranch on Howell Mountain.
Howard enlisted in the US Army at the age of 17. He was deployed to Europe on the Queen Mary, which was repurposed as a troop carrier. He fought on the front line in WW-II with General "Terrible" Terry Allen's Nightfighters, the Timberwolves of the 104th infantry. His division engaged in many battles beginning in France, continuing through Holland and Amsterdam and ending in Germany. Later in life, he reconnected with some of his fellow soldiers and cherished their comradery and friendship. He was seldom seen not wearing one his many WW-II baseball caps.
After the war Howard returned to America and was employed as a sales representative for Blake Moffet and Towne. Howard married the love of his life, Marie Hegarty, on June 11, 1949. They celebrated 72 years of marriage last year. They moved to Castro Valley in 1950 and were among the founding members of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Howard was blessed with eight children, Susan (Jim) Rossillon, Christine (Greg) Schmitz, Diane (Steve) Twomey, Art (Janet) Songey, Jim (Jeannine) Songey, Dan (Amy) Songey, Aileen (Paul) Koslosky, Maria (Jeff) Fulcher, 28 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many extended family members.
Family was everything to Howard, his greatest joy. He and Marie lived and modeled for their children a life of faith, of Christian values, high moral standards and compassion and kindness all bundled in the warmth of a busy, fun and loving home.
Howard will be deeply missed. His welcoming smile, twinkling blue eyes and mischievous pranks will forever be cradled in our hearts.
How lucky we have been to have had this good and gentle man in our lives; making saying goodbye so hard.
Vigil to be held July 19, 2022 at Holy Angels Funeral Center, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward. Visitation from 4-6pm with service at 6pm.
Funeral mass to be held at Our Lady of Grace Church 3433 Somerset Ave, Castro Valley July 20, 2022 at 11am.


View the online memorial for Howard Songey