John W. Howard passed away on September 17, 2015, from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and heart failure, which he combated with characteristic courage and dignity. He was 90 years old and lived in Vero Beach and Edgecomb, Maine. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alice Van Loon Howard, four children, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

John grew up in Walpole, MA, the son of the late Charles R. and Mildred J. Howard, and younger brother to the late Jean Howard Barr and Robert J. Howard. He graduated from Amherst College in 1949, after having served his country in WWII. John was wounded in the German battle of the Hurtgen Forest, and spent over a year in several hospitals. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart and several other military distinctions.

John and Alice raised their children in Darien, CT. During this time, John coached his kids' baseball teams, attended hockey games, and assigned weekly tasks to ensure a sense of responsibility. Betsy, and her husband Tim White, John, Jr. and his wife Susan Clark, Doug, Mark and his wife Marion, along with grandchildren Allison and husband Grant Daley, Chris White, Katie White, John Howard III, Jack and Millie Howard, and great grandchildren Grace and Charlie Daley, will greatly miss his mentorship.

Mr. Howard was an entrepreneur and trail blazer in many regards. With his brother Bob and college friend Grant Holt, John founded Holt Howard Associates (HHA), which grew to be a pioneer in the export/import business during the post-war era. Japan became their primary source of high quality manufacturing partners long before this became fashionable. HHA changed the way America drinks coffee by introducing coffee mugs at a time when cups and saucers were the standard. Many Holt Howard products have become highly desirable collectibles due to the whimsical designs, bright colors and utility.

Five years after selling HHA to a larger firm, John and Grant founded Grant-Howard Associates. This firm became a pioneer in non-Japan Asia, where they sourced high quality products, providing great value to the United States market. They were instrumental in opening the U.S. to new consumer goods by managing the domestic product development, marketing, sales and distribution efforts for companies located both here and abroad. John remained active in his business into his eighties.

John was also a published author, volunteer and tutor. After retirement he decided to chronicle his life so that his heirs and others might learn from and understand their history. Thus, "My Life's Experiences: Soldier, Family Man, Entrepreneur" was born. Determined to maintain self-development and pay it forward, he also lent his expertise to the Service Core of Retired Executives and provided English tutoring through the Vero Beach Literacy Services.

John and Allie greatly enjoyed travelling. They spent time in the Caribbean Islands, Europe and the Far East. John's family initially began spending summers in Edgecomb, Maine, during the 1890's. Over the years and the generations, the Edgecomb cottages have become the central gathering point for the family. John, known as "PJ" (Papa John) to his grandchildren and extended family, will be fondly remembered and deeply missed for his wisdom, kindness, sense of humor and keen insights. He has been the recognized patriarch of this clan, which had come to rely on his counsel and steady hand in all matters.

John spent his final years in the sunshine of Vero Beach, with his wife, Allie. Services will be held in Edgecomb, Maine next summer.

Donations may be made in his memory to Literacy Services of Indian River County, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960, www.literacyservicesirc.org/home Old Colony YMCA of Southeastern Massachusetts, Big Sister Big Brother, 320 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301, www.oldcolonyymca.org Visiting Nurses and Hospice Foundation of Vero Beach, FL, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960; www.vnatc.com or the charity of your choice.

For more information, contact: Cox Gifford Seawind at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com