BUCKSPORT — A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who died late last month received a fitting tribute Saturday when nearly 100 riders escorted the hearse carrying his body from a Bucksport funeral home to a church in Orrington.
According to his obituary, Roger W. Howard Jr., 66, died March 25 in New Port Richey, Fla., doing what he loved most — riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
A 40-year employee with International Paper Co., Howard was most at home on the open road. The Bucksport native was involved for years with the local chapter of the Harley Owners Group and served as vice president of the United Bikers of Maine.
Howard’s sister, Peggy Masterman, said the motorcycle tribute was “quite a thing to see.”
“He had done this for other people, so I think he would have appreciated being honored this way,” she said after the service, “with the ground rumbling under everybody’s feet as he passed by.”
Motorcycle riders, including many from the Patriot Guard, began arriving Saturday morning at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home in Bucksport. At about 10 a.m., the riders formed a procession that took Howard along Route 15 from Bucksport to the East Orrington Congregational Church for his funeral service.
“Every other utility pole had a flag flying,” Masterman said.
Howard was later buried at Riverview Cemetery in Bucksport.
“We know his passing leaves an empty spot in so many hearts. We have ridden many, many miles with Roger over the years. He was probably the safest and most courteous motorcycle rider we have ever known. He was a fantastic leader on our rides,” Linda and Phil Jellison of Bucksport wrote on Howard’s online obituary guest book. “He was able to keep tabs on the entire group, took new riders under his wing, and led us on many wonderful trips. We don’t believe there is a road in Maine that Roger didn’t know. He opened our eyes to many new and scenic areas in our own state and he certainly knew the best places to stop and eat. We will all miss him.”
Howard was an active member of Maine Motorcyclist Political Action Committee and advised the Department of Transportation about motorcycle concerns. He spent many years involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scout leader in Bucksport.
“We have known Roger for many years, and always enjoyed an occasional chat with him, and the conversation was always about when and where he was headed next on his beloved Harley,” Bud and Jill DeCesere of Orrington wrote in the guest book. “He will be greatly missed by all who understood and enjoyed his passion for motorcycles.”