CANISTEO-Rowland J. “Rocky” Howard, 64, of Stephens St. passed away Saturday (Nov. 15, 2014) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a brief illness.
Rocky was born December 29, 1949 in Hornell to Carleton and Louise (Keough) Howard. On October 23, 1976 in Hornell he married the former Ella V. Houghtaling who survives and resides in Canisteo.
Rocky was a life long resident of Canisteo, a graduate of Canisteo Central School class of 1969 and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force from June of 1969 to July 1973 achieving the rank of Sergeant. Rocky had worked for 28 years from 1973 to 2001 with A.L. Blades and Sons as a heavy equipment refueler and was an avid stock car fan of area race tracks.
In addition to his wife of 38 years Ella Howard of Canisteo, Rocky is survived by two sons James (Tara) Howard of Woodhull and SSG John (Jammie) Howard of Natural Bridge, 3 grandchildren: John Howard, Jr., Jerzie Howard and Jennie Howard. Rocky is also survived by two brothers: William (Jino) Howard of Helots, TX and Donald Howard of Canisteo.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Wednesday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo where funeral and committal services with military honors will take place Thursday at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo.
Online condolences and memories may be made through hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com.
