Thomas J. Howard Sr.

SOUTH KINGSTON, R.I. - Thomas J. Howard Sr., 90, of Naples, Fla. and summer resident of Green Hill, R.I., died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. He was the beloved husband of Betty Ann (Lyden) Howard for 59 years.

Born in The Bronx, N.Y., he was a son of the late Charles D. Sr. and Stella (Gallagher) Howard.

Mr. Howard was an executive in the import/export business for many years. He was a former resident of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., where he served on the town council and was an active member of the Yorktown Democratic Party and served on the Yorktown Library Board. He was a Eucharistic minister of St. James Chapel, a member of the Green Hill Civic Association in Rhode Island, served honorably in the Army during World War II, enjoyed playing tennis, going to the beach, was a sports enthusiast, and loved animals, especially his dogs. He will be remembered as being a great family man who demonstrated much enthusiasm and love for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he is survived by five children: Margaret M. Howard (Arsenault), of Charlestown, R.I.; Maura Howard McGill (wife of Steven McGill), of Green Hill, R.I.; Terence M. Howard (husband of Rena Howard), of Fairfield, Conn.; C. David Howard (husband of Alison Howard), of Washington, D.C.; and Christopher P. Howard, of Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren: Shawn McGill (husband of Caitlin Rogers McGill); Brenna McGill; Bridget McGill; Liam McGill; Catherine Howard; Matthew Howard; Gabrielle Howard; Aidan Howard; and Jillian Howard; two great-grandchildren: Lyla McGill and Shawn McGill Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Sucha,of Jenson Beach, Fla. He was the father of the late Thomas J. Howard Jr.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at St. James Chapel, 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown, R.I. Burial will be private and visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 2274 Post Road, Suite 206, Warwick, RI 02886-2270. For guest book and condolences, averystortifuneralhome.com.