W Paul Howland Obituary (1922 - 2009)

W. Paul Howland, died on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. He was born July 31, 1922 in Waterbury, Vermont. Paul was inducted into the Vermont National Guard in October of 1939 and was on active duty until 1941. He then transferred to the 10th Mountain Division, Ski Troops in 1942 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was relocated to Camp Hale, Colorado in December of 1942. In 1944, he married Dee DiMuzio. His son Gary was born in 1945. Paul was sent overseas in 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1945. After the war ended he spent a short time in Ohio, was divorced and relocated to Boston, then Hartford. He then left and followed the sun to Colorado. He lived in Denver for 23 years and worked in the Hotel/Restaurant Supply business for 12 years. In January of 1956 he became the Western Regional Sales Manager with Carlisle Corporation, Molded Material Division, for 33 years. Paul married Linda in 1958. Their daughter, Sue was born in 1960, and son John followed in 1964. In 1969 Paul was transferred to San Jose, California and retired to SaddleBrooke, Arizona in 1992. Paul was an avid golfer - and enjoyed being a member of the Tuesday Golf Group. He was responsible for the approval to construct the cart/walking path, now known as Howland's Highway. His second love was fishing and he did it at any opportunity throughout his life. Streams, lakes or ocean fishing, it did not matter, he was happy with any of these options. In 2008, on his 86th birthday, there was a special medal ceremony. Paul had lost his military medals, including his Purple Heart, along the road of life. He applied to the Army for re-issue and Sergeants 1st Class Thomas Finch and Joseph Mosher of the Fort Huachuca Noncommissioned Officer Academy presented the medals. The two men are combat veterans who served in the 10th Mountain Division, the same unit in which Paul served during the war. Steve Gregory of the Fort Huachuca Museum was instrumental in assisting Paul's daughter, Sue, arrange this special surprise for her dad. Sue also planned a 50th Anniversary Party at SaddleBrooke Club House on August 30, 2008, which was a complete surprise. We wish to thank the staff at the Roadrunner Grill for providing a special table for Paul. He loved going to lunch! We also want to thank his doctors, Dr. Michael Jerman of Desert Cardiology of Tucson and Dr. Dina Torres-Millikin, for their excellent care. And finally, we want to thank the Golder Ranch Fire Department who gave us assistance and great care over the years. Click here to view the service for W. Paul Howland