Roger E. Howes

Roger E. Howes, 85, of Steady Lane, passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

Roger was born in the Florence section of Northampton on January 31, 1937 the son of Emory and Mary Priscilla (Hall) Howes. Growing up in Ashfield he became a Cub Scout and then Eagle Scout. He graduated from Sanderson Academy in 1955.

After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While stationed in California, and before being shipped to Japan, Roger traveled across the country on a BMW motorcycle he had recently purchased. He stopped in Texas to visit family (and recover from a severe sunburn) before coming back to the family farm in Ashfield. When he was stationed in Japan, Roger and another Marine climbed Mt. Fuji.

Following his time in the service, Roger returned and began his studies at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in Amherst. During his time at Stockbridge, he worked on a family farm in White River Junction, VT. After graduating from Stockbridge, he returned to the family farm and worked alongside his father and two uncles, later becoming part owner. Growing up on the family farm taught Roger how to maintain and fix equipment, how to build and create just about anything and how to solve problems as they presented themselves. He had a creative mind and capable hands to get things done. The Howes family owns a property called “Peter Hill” in Ashfield and Roger, his father and brothers loved spending time there. Roger was especially proud of the bridge he built on the property.

As family farming became more difficult in the 80’s, it was decided to close the farm in 1988. Roger then worked for Roberts Bros. Lumber and eventually retired from Cowan Auto Supply.

Roger was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ashfield. He had also volunteered with the Ashfield Fire Department serving on the ambulance.

He admired older cars and was a former member of the Yankee Motor Club. He was proud of his 1931 Model A Coupe and 1966 Mustang GT. Roger and his wife Janice would enjoy traveling the area with the Club.

Roger was loved by all who knew him and would help anyone in their time of need.

Roger was married to the former Janice (Roberts) in 1988. They spent over 33 years in a loving and truly happy marriage. He will be deeply missed.

Other members of his family include two brothers; Nelson “Pete” Howes of Greenfield, Douglas (Jeff) Howes of Connecticut, his adopted brother Arnold Jones of Ashfield and adopted sister Margaret “Bambi” Phillips (Bob) of Ashfield, sisters-in-law Bea Howes and Linda McCulloch, brother-in-law Kenneth (Gail) Roberts, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Roger was predeceased by his brother Fred Howes.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 pm, in the Norton Hill Cemetery in Ashfield. There are no other services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 253, the Ashfield Fire Dept., PO Box 560, both in Ashfield, MA 01330 or to the charity of one’s choice.

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