Obituary of Howard E. Van Siclen

Howard Edgar Van Siclen Jr., 83, passed away October 11, 2016 at Cypress Village in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Long Island, New York to Howard Edgar and Edith Marie Engel on December 11, 1932. Howard served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War and graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University with a degree in electrical engineering. While working at the Allied-Signal / Bendix Corporation for over 30 years, Howard received the Young Engineer Award and was recognized as an expert engineer with twenty-two patents in ignition systems for aircraft and industrial engines. He earned the reputation as "Mr. Magneto" from his peers. Howard was an expert rose gardener, an avid train collector, Jaguar fan, and sang in every church choir where he was a member. He performed with the Tri-Town Theatre and sang the bass for the Sidney, New York Barbershop Quartet. In 1977, he was voted "Mr. Legs" for the Trails End summer community. Howard met the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Betsy, while on a blind date to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in New York City. The two were married on June 7, 1958 in Mount Tabor, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Aiken Van Siclen, his three sons, Gary Lewis (Carleen), Jeffrey David (Dawn), and Paul Andrew (Cyndee), his six grandchildren, Denise, Daryl, Connor, Devin, Zachary, Andrew, and his sister, Barbara Jean Van Siclen Zorn. Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all. A celebration of his life was held at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, October 16 (Cypress Village, 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Jacksonville, FL 32224) Reverend Dr. David L. Alexander will be officiating. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 3:00 p.m. in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney, NY Howard will be buried alongside his son, William Howard, who predeceased him. Pastor Patricia Robinson will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions can be made to Cypress Village Christian Worship Legacy Fund, Box C-140, 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Local arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.