Obituary of Robert B. Howell

Robert B. Howell Jr., age 62, of Milford, loving husband of Debra Altieri Howell, died suddenly on Friday April 15, 2011. Born on December 3, 1948 in Daytona Beach, FL, he was the son of Gladys Large Howell of Lake Wales, FL and the late Robert B. Howell Sr. Robert earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Polk Community College, and a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi as well as a Bachelors' Degree in Medicine from the University of Florida. He was a member of the first Cardiothoracic Heart Team at Bridgeport Hospital and was also formerly employed as a Nurse and Physician Assistant for Charter Oak Health Care and Hill Health Center. A lobbyist for the health care industry, he was instrumental in the passage of the Prescriptive Practices Act for Physician Assistants and also hosted a show, Health Care from the Hill, on PBS. He was a past member of the Board of Health and The Columbus House in New Haven, and was on the Board of Catholic Charities. A dedicated parishioner of St. Gabriel Church, Milford, he was active in the social ministry and the Home Front Project. His favorite pastimes included fishing, cooking, travelling, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and had a passion for music, physics, and medicine. He lived each day to the fullest, while still maintaining a humble attitude. He was an inspiration to many, with kind eyes and a million dollar smile. Robert was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother who will be deeply missed. In addition to his loving wife of 29 years, Debra, and his mother, survivors include, three cherished daughters, Dr. Carolyn Pass and her husband Richard, and Cheryl Howell-Williams, all of Florida and Christina T. Howell of Stamford; five grandchildren, Matthew, Alexandra, Nicholas, Christian and Jailynn; three sisters, Beverly T. Howell, Twanna Davis and her husband Larry Davis, and Terrye Howell all of Florida; father- and mother-in-law Earl and Alice Altieri of Trumbull as well as several brothers- and sisters in-law and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. The Howell family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. James Ralabate, Dr. Jay Miezlich, Dr. Irwin Feintzig, the staff of Davita Dialysis, and the ER staff of Bridgeport Hospital for all their loving care throughout the years. Funeral Information Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway, Milford, CT, on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005, American Academy of Physician Assistants, 950 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1552, or The National Kidney Foundation of CT, 2139 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.