Obituary of Burton Gene Howell

Lt. Commander Burton G. Howell, age 86, of Cold Spring passed away peacefully on February 8, 2017. He was born December 9, 1930 in Dias Creek, NJ to Burton and Rose (nee McCafferty) Howell. Burt served in the US Coast Guard for over 28 years and he retired in 1976 as Commander of Communication Station, Kodiak, Alaska. He was proud of his family association with that service. His grandfather, father, brother, three uncles and two cousins also served and all but one went on to retire. He was a Korean War Veteran who spent many enjoyable hours with fellow veterans and friends at the Cape May VFW Post #386. Burt is survived by his wife of 37 years, Philomena (aka Phyllis), son Thomas (Susan) Nelson, daughters, Michelle Howell, Maureen (John) Tunstall, and Merri (John) Loyd. He also leaves six grandchildren, Erik (Caitlyn) Nelson, Matthew Lemonakis, Jimmy Coltrain, Courtney Coltrain, Kirsten Nelson, Mark Nelson; a great-granddaughter Riley Rose Nelson; sisters, Marie (Bob) Wehrman, Dorothy (Lee) Euchler and Patricia (Glenn) Heathcote; sister-in-law, Maria Barrett; brother and sister-in-laws, Larry and Joanna Smythe, Jimmy and Dolores Quartrone, Joseph and Carolyn Panzera and many loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Burt was predeceased by his parents Burton and Rose Howell, son: John Armond Nelson; brother: Robert Howell and little brother: Leroy Howell; brother-in-law and buddy George Barrett; his first wife Coralie Sue Howell. Burt was a kind, loving and proud man. In retirement he loved to travel, garden and spend time with his family. In his later years, Burt would always say "It's no fun getting old, but I had a lot of fun getting there". A celebration of Burton's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Burton's name to Cape May Lutheran Church, 509 Pittsburgh Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204 or the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Condolences will be received at www.evoyfuneralhome.com