Howard Alan Wechsler

1932 - 2018

Wechsler, Howard Alan MANCHESTER, Vt. Howard Alan Wechsler of Manchester, passed away peacefully on the evening of November 2, 2018, at his home with his devoted wife Lois and daughter Helen at his side. He was the son of Bertha and David Wechsler of Passaic, N.J. and was born on March 15, 1932. He attended Ohio State University where he was president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and a part of the ROTC program. After graduation he served as a first lieutenant in the Army artillery division and spent two years of service in Stuttgart Germany. Upon returning home to Passaic, he joined his family business, Wechsler's Department Store. He also met and married his wife of 61 years Lois Schaeffer Wechsler in Passaic and soon after moved to Albany to start his own children's clothing stores called Youth Fair. He and Lois worked together for almost 20 years running Youth Fair. While residing in Albany, he served on the North Colonie School Board, and was a member of the Rotary club. When Howard and Lois moved to Manchester in 1985, Howard worked in residential real estate at Well's Real Estate. He was an active and committed member of the Manchester community, serving on the Manchester Zoning Board for 13 years many of those as chairman of the board. Howard and Lois taught skiing to special needs children from local area schools at Bromley Mountain, a program Howard started with other committed community minded people. He worked tirelessly on the Vermont Winter Special Olympics for several years as well. In 1994, Howard was honored with the Unsung Hero Award in Manchester. Given to those who work quietly, often behind the scenes to make things happen without a motive other than helping their neighbors and their community. To those closest to him, Howard was a humble and principled man, firm in his convictions, dedication to his family with a love for the simple pleasures in life. He is survived by his beloved wife Lois; his devoted children, Helen Wechsler and David Wechsler, their spouses Amy Belliveau and Susan Wechsler; and his two grandchildren, Zachary and Andrew Wechsler. A celebration of Howard's life will be held privately with his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or The Vermont Special Olympics, c/o Brewster-Shea Funeral Services, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT, 05255. To send the family personal condolences, please visit sheafuneralhomes.com