Eugene W. Howell

Eugene Waters Howell, 87, of North East, MD, died suddenly on Monday, December 5, 2011 in his North East home after a short stay at Christina Hospital. A lifelong resident of Cecil County, he was born in Elk Neck on December 12, 1923, the son of the late Jesse Nolan Howell, Sr. and the late Anna Arrants Howell. He was a devoted, loving husband of the late Mildred Crouch Howell for 61 years. Gene graduated from North East High School, excelling in baseball and soccer. During high school, in 1939, he pitched 11 innings to lead his team to victory in the state high school baseball championship game. He enlisted in the Navy and served his country admirably during World War II. After his discharge, he was asked to audition for the Washington Senator's Major League Baseball team. Gene turned this opportunity down, only wanting to come home to Elk Neck and his family. Gene worked as a carpenter for the Delaware Carpenter's Union, Local 626 for 39 years. He was a commercial fisherman and after retiring from the Union, he drove a tractor trailer for the Harland Trucking Co. Gene has been a part of the North East Little League since 1962, serving on the Board of Directors for 30 years, Chief Umpire and District Umpire for 8 years, and Chief of Maintenance for 15 years. Gene was instrumental in obtaining Open Space money to buy 13 acres of land for the North East Little League Complex. Gene helped with planning, the fund raising, the developing, and building of what is now the North East Little League Complex in North East, MD, which today has 7 fields with 4 fields under lights. A Howell Field is dedicated in both Gene and Mildred's name. Gene truly loved the game of baseball, the children who played the game, and the Little League Organization. Gene was chosen in 2009 for the National Volunteer of the Year Award by Little League Baseball at Williamsport, PA, and was honored by throwing out the first pitch in a Little League World Series game. Gene could always be found mowing grass each day and fixing any equipment that needed to be repaired. In 1979, Gene was one of the founding members of the Upper Bay Museum in North East. Since then he has served on the Board and held the offices of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. He has helped to expand and maintain the Museum and would open the Museum for sightseers. For 20 years, Gene was in charge of Ground Maintenance during the Water Festival. To this day, Gene continued to set out and pick up all the buoys to protect the boaters during fireworks at the Cecil County Salute to Veterans at the July 3 celebration. Gene was a member of the North East VFW for 8 years serving as Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, Jr. Vice Commander, and as a Trustee. Gene loved the VFW, the staff, and especially dancing to his favorite country music band. Gene worked daily on any projects that were needed. He was also a member of the Perryville American Legion. Gene volunteered at Hart's Church where he directed the parking of cars for various activities or to make Easter Eggs. He drove an 18 wheeler to Baltimore to pick up the used stadium seating from the old Oriole Memorial Stadium where the Orioles played. This seating is currently used in the Hart's Amphitheater. In addition, Gene was honored to be awarded the Lion Club Citizen of the Year in 2001 and 2008 for his community work. Gene has always loved Elk Neck. He enjoyed having coffee with his friends every morning at the North East Grocer. He was an avid goose and duck hunter and loved body booting. He enjoyed traveling to see his family and in recent years, snowmobiling across the Continental Divide in Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park. More than anything, Gene loved his family, friends, and community. He was happiest when surrounded by all. Survivors include his children: Cheryl Dixon of Elkton, MD, Linda Hudson and husband Jerry of North East, MD, Patsy Meck and husband Gary of Carthage, Texas, Barbara Monger of Rising Sun, MD, and Glenn Howell of North East, MD; 13 grandchildren: Michael Johnson, Beth Ayers-Lehto, Eugene Hudson, Trisha Hudson, Todd Hudson, Kerri McCloud, Justin Howell, Katelyn Howell, Ian Monger, Lindsey Monger, Erin Howell, Greg Howell, Drew Howell; 9 great grandchildren: Savannah Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, Brooke Ayers, Mia Ayers, Landon McCloud, Logan McCloud, James Howell, Ryan Howell, Davin Howell; and special companion, Linda Hunter. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by a son, Wayne Howell; daughter-in-law, Kelly Howell and son-in-law, Emory Dixon. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Crouch Funeral Home, P.A. on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 2:00PM. Crouch Funeral Home, P.A. is located at 127 South Main Street, North East, MD. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Mary Browne, will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Crouch Funeral Home, P.A. Interment with full military honors will follow in Hart's United Methodist Cemetery, Elk Neck, MD. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to North East Little League or Upper Bay Museum, both in care of the funeral home.