Lou Howard

Louis Henry Howard passed away peacefully on May 4, 2020 at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa at the age of 96, having spent his final days sharing happy moments with family and friends. 

Lou loved life and lived it to the fullest. He will be remembered for his warmth, sense of humour, love of family and his “sparkle.”  People were drawn to him by his positive energy and zest for living.

Born in Winnipeg Manitoba, of Icelandic heritage, he started his career in the Navy, reasoning that as a prairie boy he should venture out and explore the sea.

During his first year at the University of Manitoba, he was selected for officer training and at the age of 21 joined a convoy patrolling the North Atlantic. His ship, HMCS Sarnia, was involved in one of the final skirmishes in World War II, and was called upon to rescue the survivors of a sister ship Esquimalt on April 16, 1945.  For his heroic actions he was decorated with a Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) medal. 

In his later years, when he was frequently celebrated for his war efforts, he’d laughingly say, “I can’t believe I’d get so much mileage out of what I did when I was 21.”

Upon returning from the war, he completed his degree in Civil Engineering, and was hired by the Manitoba Highways Department.  Concerned that he was spending too much time away from his young family, he later accepted a job with Prudential Insurance of America where he developed expertise in real estate appraisal, which ultimately led to his appointment as Chief Appraiser, Public Works Canada. 

This expertise led him to executive positions with Treasury Board, Parks Canada and Transport Canada, plus overseas assignments to Turkmenistan and Hanoi, where he advised the United Nations on how best to privatize state owned real estate.  During this time, he was also active in the Appraisal Institute of Canada, setting exams, giving lectures and co-authoring their official textbook.

Although his professional career is impressive, there’s much more to his story.      Lou was an avid skier and swimmer, sang in a barbershop quartet, wrote stories for his grandchildren, and served as the President of Friends of Iceland Ottawa for many years, hosting Icelandic Ambassadors and housing Icelandic students who came to visit Canada.

He married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Benson, and for 62 years they raised a family and explored the world together.  After she passed away, he was lucky to find another soul mate, Hyacinthe Wade, who brought him love and joy, and a link to her warm, wonderful family. 

Those holding happy memoires of Lou include his children Jo-Lynne (Peter) and Wayne (Teresia).  His grandchildren Daryn (Rob), Daina (Aaron), Jamie (Dylan), Kerry (Len) and Shane. His great grandchildren Gus, Griffin, Odin and Reeve.  His sisters Claire Taft (Harold) and Shirley Thompson.  His nieces and nephews, and Hyacinthe’s family members.  

A special thank you to the staff at the Perley Rideau who treated him with kindness and respect during his short stay there.

Friends and family will be invited to a Celebration of Life to be held at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, to be announced at a later date.