Richard Albert Howes

Richard Albert Howes, 87, of Elkton, FL, passed away peacefully on January 15th, surrounded by loved ones. Born on July 29th, 1938, in Taunton, MA, Dick was the son of Howard and Esther Howes. Growing up in Lexington, MA, he learned what it meant to be persistent in all that he did. Obtaining his own paper route by delivering the newspaper no matter the weather, relying solely on his bicycle to get the job done. As a child and teenager he spent most of his summers at the Allis farm in Whately, where he would meet his lifelong friend Walter (Wally) Thayer and Ward Kaiser. Some of his fondest memories were working on his family's dairy farm alongside his brother Lew and his Uncle Rich. Whately was a special place to Dick, who said, "Whately was a town where one person can make a difference."

After graduating from Lexington High School, Dick attended UMASS Stockbridge School of Agriculture with the goal of becoming a dairy farmer. After graduating he enlisted in the Army, where he was stationed in France, a decision that would shape his future career. While in the Army, Dick specialized in computer programming, a field he would work in for the next 40 years working at Pro Brush in Florence and later Spalding in Chicopee. After the Army, Dick returned to Massachusetts, where he met the love of his life, Paula Marie Davis.

After his marriage to Paula in 1964, they moved to Whately, where they lived for the next 40 years. While in Whately he was a member of the Lions Club, Whately Finance Committee, and Whately Recreation Building Committee as well as coaching little league baseball.

In 2002, Dick became a grandfather. Earning him the new name "Nepa." It was from this moment on Dick and Paula decided they would split their time between Whately, MA and St Augustine, FL so they could be involved as grandparents. As his grandchildren grew, his interests orbited his grandchildren's passions. As a result, when two of his granddaughters received invitations to a competitive, traveling gymnastics team, that would break the bank, "Nepa" stepped up to help pay. Ensuring his granddaughters could participate, because once again he believed one man could make a difference. As touching as this was, this was just one of many instances "Nepa" showed his love. While in St. Augustine continued to give back to the community volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Carefest. In his later years, he gave his life to the Lord, because Dick believed one man changed the world.

Dick is survived by his wife Paula, daughter Sally Howes and son-in-law Joel Schmidt, daughter Laura Chmura and son-in-law Michael Chmura, and son Rick Howes and daughter-in-law Sara Cahillane. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Rachel Chmura, Nathaniel Chmura, Justine Chmura, Jonathan Chmura, Fiona Howes, Rowan Howes, his brother Lewis Howes and his wife Patricia Howes along with his nephew and niece Thomas Howes and Cindy Howes. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard Howes and Esther Allis Howes.

A funeral service will take place at 11 AM on February 28th at Wrisley Funeral Home in South Deerfield. A visitation, beginning at 10 am will precede the funeral. Interment will follow at Whately Center Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity or Someone Cares, St Augustine Florida.