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.
Digital Guestbook
Vice-Admiral Art McDonald
Mary and Jim Holmes
It was our great pleasure to become friends with Lou when he became the partner and husband to our dear friend Hyacinth. They met at the gym when he was in his mid 80's! How romantic is that. He was such a warm ,interesting person that we loved him instantly and welcomed him into our family group. We miss him.
Mary and Jim Holmes
It was our great pleasure to meet Lou when he became the partner and husband of our dear friend Hyacinth. They had met at he gym when he was in his mid 80's. How romantic is that. He was so warm and interesting that we loved him instantly and welcomed him into our family group. We miss him.
Edith Pahlke
Now in Halifax with my daughter and grandson, I want to include them in my good-bye. We loved the pool and the antique car but most of all Lou who was such a wonderful generous, entertaining human being! Edith (FOI), Ariella and Étienne Pahlke
Robert Nelson Parker
I met Lou through the RA (Recreation Association) gym near Billings Bridge. You were a marvelous gentleman and I will miss your smile, your wit, your humor and the many laughs we shared. My condolences to Hyacinth and to your family.
Anne Milchberg
Dear Jo-Lynne, Peter and family -- So sorry for the loss of your dear father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather, who, from all the glowing comments, certainly had a remarkable, wonderful impact on all your lives. May his memory be a blessing to you, and may you know no more sorrow.
Michelle and Mike Koski
Lou was such a wonderful inspiration to how to live a good life! I am so grateful that I got to know Lou though his very happy marriage to my Aunty Hy. Lou was always funny and generous and had wonderful old fashioned manners. My son Joe had such a great time joining Hy, Lou, Cam, Oksana, Matt and Effie on the Alaskan cruise. I know Lou enjoyed getting to know both Matt and Joe. You will be missed so much Lou xoxox Michelle and Mike and Joe and Kai.
Ólöf Sigvaldadóttir
One of the first people I met when I came to Canada in early 2005 was this handsome gentleman. He was direct, sweet and charming. He spoke often of his wife, whom he visited everyday in the hospital. He was very proud of his family and travelled far and wide to visit them, despite his age. We were so happy for Hyacinth and Lou when they found love and got married at the age of 90! Lou participated in and helped organize many Embassy of Iceland events, and he will be missed by us all! Lou Howard's legacy will live on!
Hvíl í friði kæri vinur!
Ólöf
Laurel Howard
Uncle Lou was a truly beloved figure in our lives. Charismatic, warm, and generous, he exuded wellbeing, confidence, and kindness. A natural leader, he led by example, engaged in community and with family, keeping fit, and enjoying life to the fullest. He encouraged us to be our best selves. We had such wonderful times together and a tremendous amount of fun. I will cherish the memories of a lifetime of visits, and always hold dear the bond of the amazing Howard siblings, Lou, my sister’s and my dad Ken, Claire, and Shirley, who rejoiced in each other’s company for nine decades. I am so grateful for the good fortune of having had Lou as my uncle. We send our sincere condolences to Hyacinthe, Jo-Lynne, Wayne, and their families.
Linda Louise Pritchard
Uncle Lou was the last of my parents' generation to leave us, and his passing marks the end of an era for those of us who knew him. Lou's first wife was my mother's sister, a gentle soul whose beauty and lovely voice impressed me from childhood. I regret never having had the opportunity to meet Hyacinthe, but know from my mother's comments that she certainly brightened up Uncle Lou's later years. We always lived so far apart that most of our contacts remain intense memories of shared expériences, even though, as children, my siblings and I certainly didn't really interact with him personally all that much. When Marj and Lou came to the memorial gathering for my father in 1988, I first really "met" them as an adult, and am grateful for the interactions we had then. Each of them taught me something, probably without even realizing it. One of his comments that weekend still makes me smile: he told me that according to his doctor, he was emprisoned in the body of a 40-year-old man. I guess all those years of early-morning calisthenics and swimming all those laps in the pool kept him hale and healthy for a very long time. Like Caleb on entering the promised land, who at age 80 still had the strength of a man of 40. What an example. That weekend I also discovered that my Uncle Lou was, at least in his own way, a man of faith. And that is Indeed a blessing.
On behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy, please accept my sincere condolences on the recent loss of beloved husband and father and one of our decorated shipmates, Lou Howard. While a tragic loss, I was heartened to hear that Lou lived through the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic Sunday commemorations on 3 May 2020.
Lou’s experiences in the Battle of the Atlantic, and in particular with HMCS SARNIA were truly incredible. Having been recognised with a Mention in Dispatch is indicative of Lou’s direct involvement in the battles fought, and rescues conducted. As our current navy brings new ships online and prepares for the future on the high seas, memories of our distinguished Veterans such as Lou brings us great pride in our history and provides us with motivation to do what we do for all of Canada and for the betterment of a stable and peaceful world.
While I know that words will in no way diminish the pain felt by your loss, I hope that you can find some level of comfort knowing that you are in the thoughts and prayers of your extended Royal Canadian Navy Family.
With sincere condolences, Yours Aye,
Art McDonald
Vice-Admiral
Commander Royal Canadian Navy