Thomas "Tommy" Howe

HOWE, Thomas "Tommy", SMG CTANG (Ret.) Thomas Edward Howe, 76, of South Windsor passed away Friday (November 24, 2006) surrounded by his loving family and friends after a valiant battle with cancer. Tommy died as he lived his life, simply and with dignity. He cared for many and lived life to the fullest enjoying both the practical joke and a twirl about the dance floor. Tommy was born November 5, 1930 in Hartford, son of the late Patrick and Mary Howe. His 61 years of service to Connecticut began on May 16, 1945 when he enlisted into Company D 1st Battalion of the Connecticut State Guard. His career in the Connecticut Army National Guard began on August 8, 1946 with Service Company 169th Infantry Regiment. Called to Active Duty in August, 1950, SGM Howe underwent Ranger and Airborne training at FT Benning and then was assigned to Germany as part of the Occupation Force during the Korean War. He returned to the States in June of 1952 and reenlisted into Battery B 745th AAA Bn. He was transferred to Service Company 169th Infantry and promoted to 1st Sergeant until transfer to Company A 243rd Signal Battalion in May 1959. He next served with HHC 1st BG 169th Inf then transferred to HHC 43d CMD Hq Div where he served till August 1967. Assigned to HHC 103d EOH, he served as First Sergeant and Operations Sergeant until April 1972. SGM Howe was assigned to the Full Time Recruiting Force in April 1972 as one of it's "founding fathers" and served in varied assignments within that force. He was promoted to Sergeant Major in June 1979. Upon retirement in 1990, he continued his military service by joining the First Company Governor's Foot Guard where at his passing he held the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Military service truly represented Tommy's life's work and was a significant source of the many friends and comrades he enjoyed. Throughout Tommy's career he received many Accolades, Awards and Decorations too numerous to mention. Tommy will be missed by the many clubs and organizations to which he belonged or donated his time and skills (carpentry was a passion in his civilian life). Tommy is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara and their three loving children, Tracie Lynn Vicki of Bloomfield, Mary "Beth" Howe of South Windsor and Thomas Joseph "TJ" Howe and his wife Carrie-Anne of Enfield, and the apple of his eye and Grandson Andrew Thomas Vicki; two brothers, John and Raymond Howe both of Florida; two sisters, Mary Terry of Hartford and Helen Lauzier of South Windsor; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Tommy was predeceased by his son Thomas John Howe and his sister Eilene Howe. Tommy is also survived by his "side kick", a Shetland Sheepdog also named Tommy after him. Family and friends may gather Tuesday, November 28 at 9 a.m. at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. in St. Gabriel Church, Windsor. Burial will follow with military honors in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery. His family will receive friends on Monday from 3-5 and 6-9 p.m. at the Carmon Windsor Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. For condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com