Obituary of Michael A. Howe

Michael A. Howe
Hawley, PA

Michael Alfred Howe of Hawley PA, previously of Bloomingburg NY, passed away on Tuesday February 11, 2025 at Garnet Health Medical Center after a very brief illness. He was 71. The son of the late Stanley Howe and Angela Barnett Howe, he was born on March 15, 1953 in Goshen, NY.

Michael grew up in Campbell Hall. He graduated from Goshen High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball, eventually coaching many extracurricular sports teams as his son grew up. Mike always shared fond memories of having been a cub scout leader. Michael worked as a surgical technician, first in Arden Hill Hospital and then in Orange Regional, retiring from Garnet Health Medical Center. He held the respect of many longtime coworkers and friends there, and they, too, held a special place in his heart.

Mike took great pleasure from the simple things in life: watching a great baseball game, spending time with his seven grandchildren, sharing cocktails with family during the holidays, and watching a sunset on the beach with his wife Joan. He was a talented craftsman who lent his abilities to countless projects throughout his 27-year marriage, spending numerous hours making a house a home.  Most importantly, Mike was the embodiment of a “good man,” a family man who prioritized his loved ones, but who also put others at ease, not just with his calm and commanding presence, but with the way he truly saw people – recognizing their worth, believing in their goodness, and making them feel valued.  There is surely a pack of beloved family dogs greeting him on the other side, slobbering and wagging their tails in agreement.

Mike was the devoted and loved husband of Joan Howe, and beloved father to Elijah (Melissa), Kate Tucker (Alex) and Jessica Tucker(Brad). He is an adored Poppy to Tucker, Oliver, Edith, Benjamin, Piper, Ruby, and Milo, and is also survived by his sister Cindy Houle (Richard), Brother-in-Laws Rick Mallory (Alexis), and Jerry Lesczynski, and many dear friends and family. He is predeceased by his parents Stanley and Angela, parents-in-law Dolly and Rick Mallory, and sister-in-law Lisa Lesczynski.

There will be a celebration of Michael’s life on Saturday February 22,2025 from 10am to 1pm with a Memorial service beginning at 12:30pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home in Pine Bush, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Michael's name to the ASPCA www.aspca.org.  Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc.