Obituary of Bruce J. Howes

Obituary for Bruce J. Howes Sr. – A Life Well Lived – Solider, husband, father, grandfather, business owner, patriot, friend. Bruce J Howes Sr., at age 89, passed onto his well-deserved reward on the evening of November 26, 2020, at his home in Sidney Center. It was fitting that he passed at home, as Bruce was also born at home, to Jess F. Howes and Elgia (Gray) in Sidney Center, New York, on March 27, 1931, in a house still owned by the family. Bruce is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathryne, and sons Bruce and Craig, and was preceded in death by brothers Jack, William, Robert, and sister Betty Jean (Hunt). Bruce married Kathryne Howes (Sadler) in 1963, after first meeting her while visiting Maryland on a military training assignment, and they made their own home together in Bruce's beloved village of Sidney Center, New York. Together they raised two children Bruce Jr. (Alicia Clark), who has followed in his grandfather's footsteps and owns an automotive service and sales center in coastal Maine. And Craig (Abby Tiska), who now runs the family building supply business in Sidney Center, NY. Bruce is also survived by two grandchildren, Taylor and Ian Howes. Both of his sons fondly remember Bruce as a father who encouraged them to self-discipline, leadership, and the noble pursuit of their goals. Bruce graduated from Sidney High School in 1948, and after a short time working for his father, Jess, he was off for adventure and enlisted in the U.S. Army in November of 1950. Subsequent to his enlistment and initial training, Bruce was assigned to the 981st Engineer Construction Battalion at Fort Monroe, VA, where he received further training. After a promotion to Sergeant, Bruce was transferred to the 590th Engineer Utility Company in Japan, where he was the NCO In-Charge of Heavy Equipment Inspection and Maintenance. Upon discharge from active duty in 1952, he transferred to the Army Reserve, where he accepted a position with the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Okinawa. It was during his time on Okinawa that Bruce was introduced to the Masonic Order and rose to a 33rd degree Mason. In 1956 he accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant. He continued to proudly serve as an Army Reserve member, teaching Command and General Staff, until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991. After his honorable discharge from active duty, Bruce returned to Sidney Center, and employment with the family firm of Jess F. Howes Inc. Jess began the business in 1920 when he returned from serving in the Army during World War I and opened a small car repair shop in Trout Creek. In 1922, he built a garage and service station at the same location where the building supply store stands today. In addition to the garage, Jess Howes and his business were very active in the region, building roads, bridges, and even housing developments in Sidney, NY. Over the years, before taking on the management of the building supply business, Bruce worked with Jess on many of these projects, often running construction equipment or doing the blasting. Bruce loved to drive, and proud of his construction work; often, a family Sunday outing would consist of a drive to a local road or bridge project and a reminisce of the people and equipment involved. In 1987, when Jess Howes passed at the age of 91, his son Bruce and his grandson Craig joined forces and bought the business from the estate. The firm of Jess F. Howes celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year, in 2020. Bruce was also known as an incredibly gracious benefactor to the community, extending mortgages and credit to those in need. He was very proud of his company-issued calendars for their anniversary years, documenting the company's long history. Some of the milestones in the 2010 calendar include the development of Maple Street in Walton and Bates Terrace and Ritton Street in Sidney; the construction of the bridge across the West Branch of the Delaware River in Walton in 1956 and 1957 and the construction of Apex Road in 1953 and state Route 10 from Walton to DeLancey and from Delhi to Bloomville in the 1960s. Bruce was always a great fan of quoting poems around the dinner table, and none seemed to be more favored than the special one noted below. His elder son likewise grew to admire and emulate his love for quotes and poems, and found it took no effort at all to get him to launch into a full-throated and rousing rendition of John Greenleaf Whittier's inspiring "Don't Quit," something his son Bruce fondly remembers him often doing at the dinner table. An avid coin collector for a time, Bruce was also a land surveyor, a Dale Carnegie Course graduate, and even held an explosives license and stored dynamite used in road construction on the hill behind his home. Perhaps most interestingly, he was a lifelong photographer, documenting life, family, friends, and various construction projects through a series of movies and photos. After his discharge from the Army, he traveled extensively throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, visiting such iconic sites as Tokyo, the Great Pyramids, and the Taj Mahal, before heading home. When Bruce arrived back in Sidney Center, he was often called on by local civic and fraternal organizations to speak and show the movies of his travel abroad. Bruce's photography has become a remarkable legacy, and he was always eager to show his handiwork, film, and slide collection to those who visited his home. Once he discovered email on an Apple computer gifted by his older son, hardly a week went by without sending some photos of his travels. He was also fond of mailing "care packages." His elder son Bruce, living out of state, was the frequent recipient of these packages, full of newspaper clippings or articles of interest. He recalled that almost every package had a Jess F. Howes calendar, hat, magazine, or some other special gift enclosed. It seems Bruce just couldn't let those half-full envelopes or boxes go to waste. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on November 29, 2020, at the C.H. Landers Home; due to COVID, this will be a small ceremony for immediate family. In the spring of 2021, when the headstone will be placed, a service with full military honors will be held at the Sidney Center Cemetery. Notice of this event will be given in local papers, and all will be invited to attend the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sidney Veteran's Memorial Park at Post Office Box 333 Sidney, NY 13838. Bruce, always proud of his military service, was a strong supporter of this lasting memorial for those who served. Condolences and memories can be sent to Kathryne Howes or family members at Sidney Center, NY, or online at www.landersfh.com. The family would like to thank Bassett Hospital staff and Helios Care for their efforts, care, and devotion.