Donald R. Howard

Donald R. Howard, 91, of Longmeadow, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Donald was born in Chelmsford, MA., on February 11, 1931, the son of the late Charles L. and Annie (Clarke) Howard. Donald proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corp. He was self-employed and owned Dunkin Donut stores in West Springfield, Agawam and Hadley Ma for 17 years; he then opened and owned a Western Auto Supply store in Southwick MA for 10 plus years.   He was a member and Secretary of the Longmeadow Lions Club, and a member of the American Legion of Longmeadow.  He loved gardening taking care of his Roses, Peonies, and vegetables and he loved road trips traveling around the United States.  He enjoyed his home in Rhode Island with his family making wonderful memories.  In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by two brothers Charles and Kenneth and two grandchildren Stephenie and Richard. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68  years of marriage, Vera R. (Tripp) Howard of Longmeadow, three devoted children Cheryl L. Howard of Longmeadow, Donald R. Howard and his wife Karen of Longmeadow, Sandra A. Syniec and her husband Frederick of Longmeadow, and his four adored grandchildren Jeffrey Plotkin, Donald R. Howard III, Kimberly Sullivan and her husband Brian and Kenneth M. Howard and his fiancé Elena Pizzotti and he leaves two great-grandchildren Ava Hastie and Declan Sullivan. He was also predeceased by his cousins Marjorie and her husband Leo Richard, Virginia Laderoute, Dorice Hurley, and Ruthies and Ray Cullinan. All services and military honors are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org  or the American Lung Association at https://action.lung.org. Arrangements are entrusted to Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA 01118.