Obituary of George Lowman Howell

Age 82 of Elmira passed away peacefully at his home on November 22, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Survived by his wife of 59 years Elizabeth Ann Harkrader Howell; daughter and son-in-law Katherine H. and Thomas L. Roehlke of Elmira; daughter Sarah B. Howell of Seattle, WA; granddaughter Emma K. Roehlke of Boston MA; grandson Benjamin T. Roehlke of Elmira; and brother and sister-in-law Fred E. and Janet H. Howell of Amesbury, MA. George was born in Elmira August 7, 1933, the son of Chester Everts Howell, Jr. and Georgia Isabel Lowman Howell. His parents and brother, Jack Martin Howell, predeceased him. He attended Hendy Avenue School and Elmira Free Academy and graduated from Mount Hermon School in 1951. He attended Lehigh University, Class of 1955. He was a member of the Eta Chapter of Psi Upsilon at Lehigh University. George served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. Following George's military service, George began his 60 years of active service with the family business, F. M. Howell & Company. He was the third generation of the Howell family to lead the company. Under George's stewardship, the company grew from one division to its current three divisions. He was currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of F. M. Howell & Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Howell Liberatore & Associates, Inc. George was a respected leader in the paperboard packaging industry, having served on the Board of Directors of two national trade associations, the Paperboard Packaging Council and the National Paperbox Association. At the time of his death, George was serving as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Elmira Savings Bank, Trustee Emeritus of Elmira College, as a member of the Board of Directors of The Hilliard Foundation, Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc., Twin Tiers Economic Development, Inc., and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Historic Elmira, Inc. He was an Honorary Trustee of the Arnot Art Museum and the Chemung County Historical Society. George was also serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Chemung County Historical Society and a member of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee of the Arnot Health Foundation. He was serving as the Secretary of the Psi Upsilon Association of Elmira and was the Treasurer of Lake Street Presbyterian Church. Of great importance to George throughout his life was his service to the Elmira community. He spent his life tirelessly promoting and supporting Elmira, New York. George's contributions to the Elmira community are countless. He spent the last several dedicated to historic preservation and founded Historic Elmira, Inc. in 2007. During George's years of professional and volunteer service, he was awarded the Key to the City of Elmira in 1993, the 2000 ARTS Partnership Award from the ARTS of the Southern Fingers Lakes, the 2003 Robert Gair Award from the Paperboard Packaging Council, the 2008 Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Mary E. Kennedy Community Builder Award, the 2009 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Five Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America, the 2013 United Way Errol Shand Award for Volunteer Service, and the 2013 Psi Upsilon Philanthropist Award. George grew up spending his summers at Crosby Point on Keuka Lake. He was an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed the beauty of the Adirondacks, specifically, the Adirondack League Club and Little Moose Lake. George enjoyed his longtime association with Fur, Fin, and Feathers. In addition, he had a passion for restoring antique cars and wooden boats. George spent recent summers on the M/V Dowager, his 1931 Matthews classic wooden boat on Cayuga Lake. The family wishes to thank all of the current and retired employees of F. M. Howell & Company and Howell Liberatore & Associates, Inc. for their dedication and loyalty to George. Work was his passion. He set an example for his employees and all who knew him by demonstrating an extraordinary work ethic. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Lake Street Presbyterian Church, 300 Lake Street, Elmira, with the Rev. Dr. William Lutz officiating. Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery, Wellsburg. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember George may do so with a donation to Lake Street Presbyterian Church or the Chemung County Historical Society, 415 E. Water Street, Elmira NY 14901.