BANGOR – Joseph “Joe” E. Howell, 93, died Aug. 6, 2011, at his home after a short illness. He was born Jan. 11, 1918, on Grand Manan, New Brunswick, son of Leon and Rose Green. After the death of his mother when Joe was 4 years old, he was raised by William and Bertha Howell of Lubec.
Joe graduated from Winter Harbor High School, entered the U.S. Army in 1942, and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations and was wounded during combat in the Luzon Campaign. Joe married Virginia (Packard) Howell in October 1943 while on furlough from Fort Bragg in North Carolina. In 1946 he became associated with Hancock Wholesale Tobacco and Confectionary Co., Ellsworth. He was employed as a salesman until entering the postal service as a rural carrier in 1963. He was named postmaster of Ellsworth Post Office in 1967, retiring in 1981. Joe was an active member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Bishop’s Committee and as keyman. He was active in civic and local affairs, and was a member of Masonic Lodge, Acadia Chapter, Blanquefort Commandary, all of Ellsworth, Anah Shrine of Bangor, and Irene Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Throughout his life, Joe enjoyed boating on the Maine Coast and fly-fishing in the Rangeley Lakes Region. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family and close friends. His home and generous spirit were open to many.
In addition to his beloved wife, Ginny, he was predeceased by his parents and nine siblings. Surviving are his daughter, Donna (Howell) Cochrane and husband, John, of Bangor; son, William Frank Howell and wife, Janet, of Holden; three grandchildren, Michael David Sargent and wife, Patsy, of Cumberland Foreside, Julianna Rose Howell “Princess,” and Joseph Grant Howell, both of Holden; two great-grandchildren, Bailey Elizabeth Sargent and Benjamin James Sargent of Cumberland Foreside; sisters, Cora Young of Lubec, Marguerite Alley of Dotham, Ala., and Jacqueline (Howell) Lazareth of Wrentham, Mass.; many nieces and nephews.
A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the service at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Hospice Program of CHCS, P.O. Box 425, Bangor, ME 04402 or Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 521, Rangeley, ME 04970.