Gene Arthur Howland, 90
May 21, 1935 – September 5, 2025
Salem – Gene Arthur Howland, 90, of Salem, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers. He was the devoted husband of the late Judith Ann (Ring) Howland, who passed away in May of 2025. He was the son of the late James R. Howland and Hazel R. (Rankin) Howland.
He was born in Wellfleet, MA and is a graduate of Wellfleet High School. After High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. As a Vietnam era veteran, he served his country honorably.
When he returned to the United States, he became a Pilot Boat Apprentice in Boston Harbor before working as a Machinist at the United Shoe, Inc. He later worked as a self-employed plumber and owned and operated Gene A. Howland, dba Neary Plumbing and Heating.
Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, and the North Shore Plumbers Contractors Association. He enjoyed golfing, playing pool, fishing, and cooking.
Being from Cape Cod, Gene’s love of the ocean continued throughout his life. He enjoyed many cruises with Judy, most notably the family Boston to Bermuda cruise in 2019.
Family was most important in his life. He enjoyed weekends at the family camp in Northwood, NH. He loved the cookouts, boating and waterskiing on the lake, playing horseshoes and cribbage. He also had a talent for creating some very large campfires for all to enjoy. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren with everything that they did and accomplished.
He is survived by his children, James Howland and his wife Elizabeth of Beverly, Kenneth Howland and his wife Susan of Salem, Paul Howland and his wife Danielle of Holliston, and Tracy Palen and her husband David of Salem; six grandchildren, Benjamin and Marguerite, Kayla, Lindsey, Thomas, and Emily Howland; his sisters-in-law Janet and Carol Ring; and many nieces and nephews.
Along with his wife Judith, Gene was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Kenneth Ring, Jr., and Robert Ring.
Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 3 Margin Street, Peabody, MA on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am with a Catholic Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gene Howland’s name to either the Saint Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or to the Kaplan Family Hospice House c/o Care Dimensions 75 Sylvan Street, B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
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Please click below to watch Gene’s Memorial Video.