Howard O. Cumberbatch

Howard Owen Cumberbatch was born on September 20, 1949, in Georgetown, Guyana to the late Herbert and Lucille (Aaron) Cumberbatch.
During his formative years, he was educated in the Georgetown schools, ultimately graduating from high school at the age of 16. It was then that Howard began his telecommunications journey, securing employment with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company.
In search for a better life, Howard and his mother journeyed to the United States in 1970. Upon arrival in the States, Howard was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He ended his active duty in 1972 and returned to Paterson, New Jersey to live, and at said time, he worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. until later becoming an employee of New Jersey Bell Telephone Company (now Verizon).
In February 1974, he met Patricia Stewart, and after 18 months of dating, they were married on September 20, 1975. To this union one son, Scott was born. Howard continued employment with NJ Bell until 1991. After that, he was employed by AquaTec Water Treatment Company and Custom Cabinets, both of Garfield, New Jersey.
Amid all of his daily employment, Howard was also a disc jockey and percussionist, having played with a few bands and for a few churches in the Paterson area, including Prophetic Church of God, Solid Rock Baptist Church, and most recently, United Presbyterian Church.
In the early 2000s, Howard was officially declared a disabled veteran, but it did not stifle his love for people and music.
On Saturday, December 28, 2024, Howard's life journey came to an end.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, his mother-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Patricia Cumberbatch; his son, Reverend Dr. Scott O. Cumberbatch; his stepmother, Dorothy Cumberbatch; his father-in-law, Riland E. Stewart; three step-siblings, Dr. Gregory McIntosh, Elton McIntosh, Esq. (Andrea), and Susan McIntosh-James (Shayne); and a host of other family, friends, and acquaintances.