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
Thora and Roger Eyvindson
Roy Wood. Royal Canadian Navy. FLDC.
A traditional Naval farewell for a Canadian Naval Hero.
"Twilight and the evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I have cross the bar."
Gary Darychuk and Aniela Florczynski
What a wonderful life, well lived and worth celebrating.
Victor Wehrle
When I joined the FLDC in the fall of '16, I happened to sit at a table where Lou also sat. We soon discovered commonalities: bot Manitoba lads, both UofM grads in engineering, etc. Thereafter we were often at the same table, and I came to know Lou as a most pleasant and lovely man. May perpetual light shine upon him.
Rosalyn Howard and James, Althea, and Graeme, and Angus Braid
We will miss Uncle Lou greatly. He took great pleasure in being our family patriarch, the oldest of 4, including my sister’s and my father. He and our aunts, and their families, would often make the trek to Selkirk, where they grew up and where their mom was until she was 101, near us in Winnipeg. And Lou would return for his engineering class reunions and for significant family events. We would also meet at other family gatherings in various places, and 2 years ago were together in Spokane, for Greg’s life celebration. Lou always had information and opinions, and loved open, meaningful conversations, and having fun. And imagine, Uncle Lou was able to travel and speak at his little brother’s celebration of life (as were his sisters) - and Dad died at age 92! That group of 4 siblings and their spouses have been such a loving, lively inspiration to us, and I am so thankful to have had them and our cousins showing up to celebrate family into my 60s. Our thoughts are with Hyacinthe and the other family members, and we look forward to being able to get together to celebrate Lou’s life and legacy.
Claire Taft Lee
Early childhood photos show Louis' arm around me, his little sister, or close by.
We shared a special relationship, which endured for a lifetime, and for which I am forever grateful. I will cherish wonderful memories of travel, family reunions and always laughter.
In later photos his arm is still around me, or very close.
He made the world a kinder place.
peter croal
Ahhhh Lou. what a great guy. I only knew him from the RA gym and he always inspired me. I was the young man to him, although I am 30 years younger. We always had great chats about the world and always had a few laughs. I will miss him a lot. The world needs more Lous like that.
Bob Lee
My wife Young-Hae and I had the pleasure of meeting Lou by way of the Friday Lunch Discussion Club. We so enjoyed his humour, our conversations with him and his zest for life. We send sincere condolences to all the family
Charlie Jefferson, FLDC
I knew Lou for only a few years while participating in the Friday Luncheon Discussion Club. He was very warm and charming, and contributed much humanity to our group. He represented Canada's veterans with proud dignity by standing, even when in great pain, during our meeting featuring the Perley & Rideau Veteran's Health Centre last November.
Jim Matthews and Jacqueline LeSaux
Jacqueline and I had the pleasure of knowing Lou for a long time and always found him to be sincere, hospitable, friendly and a lot of fun, as well as a loving father and grandfather. He also enjoyed his scotch. I remember one time skiing with him at Whistler when on one occasion he waited patiently at the mid station for his daughter Dodie (Jo-Lynne) who was a good skier to appear out of the fog and commenting wistfully to me, that once a father, always a father. He will be missed.
Lou was a war hero, but he had so many more accomplishments. He was always a most genial companion and a great Friend Iceland!