MONTGOMERY CENTER - Ronald Roy Porty Howard, age 61, passed away with courage and dignity with his loving family by his side on Friday April 1, 2016 at his home after a short but brutal bout of cancer.
He was born in Montgomery Center on December 27, 1954 the son of the late John Sr. & Dorothy (Young) Howard.
Ronnie also known as Porty, Brother Ronnie, Dad or Grampie was a lifelong resident of the quiet scenic little town of Montgomery that he loved so much. He attended Enosburg Falls High School and joined the U.S. Army in 1975 and received his honorable discharge in 1977. Porty was very talented in many aspects and was a genius with his hands. He loved to build things from wood working to cars. He worked alongside his best friend Roger Deuso at Deusos Auto until Rogers passing. He also built homes, sugar houses, custom kitchen cabinets, Adirondack chairs and bird houses. He also loved to cook and made a mean batch of spaghetti sauce and corn chowder. He enjoyed riding the back roads & kayaking with his longtime friend Linda OConnell, fishing, hunting and spending time with his son Josh and little Grandson Evin. He also loved to watch NASCAR with his favorite driver being Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Porty loved everyone and could put a smile on anyones face. He was considered to be a genuine person and should be remembered as a well-liked, big hearted person that loved his family and friends. He is survived by his son Josh Howard and his partner Jerica Broe; very special grandson, Evin Roy Howard all of Montgomery; his sisters & brother, Connie McEnany of Sheldon, John Snuffy Howard of Montgomery Center, Donna Deming and her husband Glenn of Enosburgh, and Lisa Howard and her companion Roger Robitaille of Enosburgh; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Shane Mercy, Jesse Soule, Doug Baker & Jamie Johnson. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his longtime companion, Linda OConnell; his brother-in-law, David McEnany; lifelong friends, Gary Mason, Pete Soule & Roger Deuso.
Portys family wishes to thank the Franklin County Home Health Agency for the care provided and especially his nurse Kim McQuin, who went way above and beyond her job for Porty.
In keeping with Portys wishes, services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. He will be laid to rest next to his mother in the Montgomery Center Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions in Portys memory may be made to Franklin County Home Health Agency - Hospice Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.