Howard Charles Hildreth, age 91, of Rome, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2017 at the Syracuse VA Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Howard was born in Whitehall, NY on December 10, 1925 to the late Albert and Elizabeth Harvey Hildreth. Howard was educated in the Whitehall school system and graduated from SUNY Morrisville with an Associate’s degree. Howard proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard as a radar operator. He was honorably discharged on November 28, 1945. In 1960, he was united in marriage to the former Judith Gilbert until 1983. Howard worked as a grocery manager for 30 years at Grand Union.
Howard was an avid football fan and fisherman who enjoyed attending yearly clambakes and drinking cold beer with his family. He was the Past Commander of the Rome VFW and President of the Stanwix Veteran's Mens Club. He also belonged to the Frank J. Steczko Post, the Oriskany American Legion, and the Ukrainian Club, Rome Polish Club.
Howard is survived by a son and daughter in law, Ed and Julie Hildreth of Rome, 4 daughters and sons in law, Rebecca Hildreth-Makara of Canton, MI, Margaret Goodale of Riverhead Long Island, Debra and Randy Vaas of Watertown, NY, and Susan and Dennis Muller of Gig-Harbor, WA; ten grandchildren, Kristen and Matthew Hildreth, Marc and Anna Makara, Hal and Tim Goodale, Matt Muller and Karen Herwig, and Michael and Yumi Vaas and Charles Vaas; many great grandchildren; a sister, Olive Belden of Glens Falls; and two brothers and a sister in law, Patrick Hildreth of Mechanicsville, NY, and Warren and Frey Hildreth of Whitehall, NY, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two grandchildren, Ben and Danny Goodale and several siblings.
Funeral services will be held at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Thursday at 7 PM. Burial will be in Shlotzhauer Family Cemetery in Mohawk in the spring.
Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7 PM prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard’s name may be made to the Rome VFW Post 2246.
Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.
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