Obituary of John Howard

Dateline: Glenville John Whitney Howard Sr. (Whit) John Whitney Howard Sr., age 91, died at home on Thursday, June 18 surrounded by his family. Born in Schenectady to the late Chase and Ruth (Dougherty) Howard, lived most of his life in the hamlet of Hoffmans. Graduated from Scotia High School, class of 1941. He was the vice-president of his junior class, treasurer of the senior class, a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the track team. His first employment was in the Blueprint Department of the General Electric Company. John enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1942 and was honorably discharged in January 1946 with a Purple Heart. His military experience included Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa and Japan. He was among the troops to occupy Nagasaki at the close of the war. His college experience began shortly after his return home. John received a B.S. degree from R.P.I. in 1950 and a M.S. from Siena College in 1960. Over the years he took individual courses at Texas A&M, U-Albany, Albany Medical and Michigan State University. While attending R.P.I., he worked part-time as a laboratory technician at Samaritan Hospital where he first met his wife Ethel of 64 years. Ethel Villeneuve and John were married in Whitehall September 9, 1951. He was blessed with a son three years later. He was employed for 7 years in the Pharmacology Department of the Sterling Winthrop Research Institute in Rensselaer where he discovered the nasal spray Neosynephrine. His teaching career began in the fall in 1957. This included 1 year at the Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam and 38 years at Linton High in Schenectady. He taught Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. His teaching also included night classes as an adjunct professor at the Schenectady Community College. John retired at the age of 72 followed by 18 enjoyable years of retirement. He and Ethel used many summer months to travel by car. His entire life travels include 46 of the 50 states and various parts of Canada, Hawaii and the Far East. He enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of Siena basketball and Detroit Tigers baseball. During his youth, Whitney attended the Cranesville Reformed Church. After college and marriage, he attended St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam and also attended St. Margaret's of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction. John is survived by his wife Ethel and son John (Sue) Howard of Scotia. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Tyra (Rob) Haney and Ruby Howard of Confier, Colorado; Collin (Angie) Howard of Saranac Lake; Ted (Crystal) Howard of Boston; Phillip and Chase Howard of Scotia. John also has 5 great-grandchildren, Alissa, Craig and Tymber Haney of Colorado, Ashlyn and Zyler Howard of Saranac Lake. Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 23, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Glenville Funeral Home 9 Glenridge Rd, Glenville with services immediately following, followed by a graveside service at West Glenville Cemetery. The Howard family would like to thank the hematology and oncology doctors, nurses and staff at Ellis Hospital and their sincere gratitude to all the wonderful people involve with the Hospice Program. The family would also like to thank all the friends and neighbors, Bruce, Debbie, Lauren, Donnie, Scott, Kim, Patty, Jack for your kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Hospice Program or a non-profit organization of their preference.