Stanley Howard

Stanley Walter Howard, age 79; passed away October 1, 2022. Mr. Howard was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mildred (nee Wanamaker) and Walter Howard on July 2, 1943 and was their only child. When WW ll broke out, his father entered the army, while Stan, who was then a young boy, moved with his mother to Lima, Ohio where relatives who owned a working farm insisted they stay. Those years left a deep impression on Stan, running around in his overalls, feeding the animals, and exploring large acres of land, with a stick in his small hand to poke and prod the banks of a nearby stream. A love of nature was born during that time, where he cherished a magnificent sky with flights of birds, a dilapidated barn on the side of the road that bespoke the history of the land, or animals tracks in the snow. Photography later evolved as the form in which he would memorialize inspirational scenes.

Following the war, the Howard family moved south to Florida. As a student, Stan excelled in all subjects and was skipped forward a grade. If not for his parents' concerns about being smaller or less mature than his classmates, he would have been skipped yet another time. In eighth grade he won the school's Religion Award and was the star reporter of the school newspaper "The Crusader." In fact, the city newspaper, The Lakeland Ledger, featured Stan as an up-and-coming journalist. He began collecting baseball cards, coins, cameras, and any publications related to steam locomotives. His father had aroused in Stan a fascination with trains. During the summers he was a lifeguard.

Stan attended St. Joseph's Academy in Lakeland, Lakeland HS, The University of Florida, where he earned a degree in pharmacy, and finally Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, where he earned a law degree. Stan was an active member of The Florida Bar Association for decades. His library is stacked with volumes of law books, pharmacy journals, and decades of National Geographic magazines he'd find worthy of reading over and over.

Cleveland's baseball, football, and basketball teams were fervently followed, Stan always hoping to see the Indians win the pennant. In years past he'd take the family to Spring Training to get up close with the Indians' players for autographs and photos. An ardent fan of the Florida Gators, Stan attended many football games and was deeply proud of his alma mater. Two of his children and a son in law graduated from UF. Stan's other interests were epic, such as model railroading, history, law, music, tennis, and eventually traveling to China to satisfy his curiosity of ancient civilizations.

After fifty years as a pharmacist, both in retail and as a consulting pharmacist, Stan retired. He was honored by the State of Florida for achieving fifty continuous years of employment, even while attending law school, and for providing outstanding concern for the welfare of his many loyal customers. In all those years, Stan never took a sick day. It wasn't until he was seventy-five that Stan was admitted to a hospital, the first time since birth.

Stan was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church back when it was St. Mary Magdalen and his daughters attended school there. Religion was a large part of his life from early childhood, with a strong faith that steered his course. In fact, Annunciation Church had a role in Stan and Maureen becoming more acquainted after she had been a customer at his pharmacy. They were married on July 4th, and each year claimed the fireworks were booming just for them. They enjoyed traveling to New England, North Carolina, New York, cruises, beach vacations and attending musical and sporting events. More than anything Stan loved being around his family, with their dogs Tiger and McGuinness nearby.

There was no kinder, more agreeable man than Stan, and within minutes of meeting him you'd recognize his humility, sincerity, selflessness, and impeccable manners. From the time he was a child, Stan was that quiet, thoughtful, introverted boy who spent more hours alone than with his peers. Putting others first was how he lived, having the intention to never in the slightest way offend anyone.

Aside from his beloved wife Maureen, Stan leaves three children whom he cherished- Amy Casterline (Sean) of Sanford, FL, Stephanie Rooney of Asheville, NC, and Stanley Michael Howard of Altamonte Springs. Stanley also leaves behind two stepsons, Timothy Clarke (Jacob) and Christopher Clarke (Jaya), two nephews and one niece, along with close family members Angela Jones and Greta Howard, plus numerous friends. His five grandchildren, Jonathan and Beau Casterline, Cannon and Sarah Kate Rooney, will miss their Poppy, and a fifth grandchild recently joined the flock, Kyren Clarke.

Those who mourn Stan feel a deep, vast loss. His gentle nature, integrity, yet surprisingly subtle sense of humor has endeared him to us in ways immeasurable. May he be held in God's loving arms until we can be reunited. Imagining Stan experiencing the splendor of heaven, realizing he is pain free to move his body and serve unlimited aces in tennis, and finally for him to understand that his well-lived and well-loved time on earth has been richly rewarded, will offer us some solace. May you rest in eternal peace Stanley Walter Howard.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022, 1:30pm at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL. Please assemble at church. Donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul ( http://www.svdporlando.org ) in Stanley's memory.