John Clark Howe Jr

John Clark Howe, Jr.  

Pittsford NY – Passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021, at age 73. Predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mary Howe, and brother Carl.   

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Janice (“Jani”); uncle Guy L. (Bud) Howe, cousins and many life-long friends whom he considered as family too.

Janice would like to thank our extended family and friends who supported John during his illness and to the UofR health care professionals, especially his doctors who John called his special friends, for their extraordinary care and support. 

A private burial will be held.  Friends  are invited to a Memorial Service on Friday October 15, 2021 at 2:00 PM in All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park.  Following that a Celebration of John's  life will take place at 4:00 PM in Powder Horn Lodge in Powder Mills Park. in lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to Camp Good Days and Special Times or a charity of your choice in John’s memory.  

John was born in Rochester, NY on October 13, 1947.  He had a happy, adventurous childhood growing up in Long Meadow, Pittsford NY.  He loved spending summers with his parents boating and fishing out of Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario  and travelling on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands. His two most favorite places on the Lake were Galoo Island and Main Duck Island.  He also spent several fun-filled summers at the Y’s Camp Corey.

Following his High School education at Sutherland H.S., he entered the U. S. Navy in 1964 and served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam as a Radioman in cryptographic communications with top secret security clearance, received a Unit Citation and in 1968 an Honorable Discharge in 1968.  From 1969 to 1976 John travelled the world as a Merchant Seaman on various steamship lines.  From 1976 to 1980 John and Jani owned and operated a carpet cleaning business in Long Beach, California.  

In 1980, John and Jani relocated to Rochester with their beloved parrot “Bunga.”  He then began his 25-year career at the University of Rochester’s Central Utilities where he became Operating Engineer responsible for operation of all equipment for delivery of steam and chilled water to the University Medical Center and River Campus.  

John worked very hard, but he also knew how to have fun and was always up for an adventure.  For 20 years, when not working, he and Jani had many thrilling summers on their beautiful wooden Chris Craft sea skiff, “Marzoc,” which they restored and kept at Henderson Harbor.  John was so excited to share with Jani and friends his favorite fishing spots on the Lake.  And every summer included trips and over-night stays at Galoo Island, Main Duck Island and the Thousand Islands.  

John retired in 2005 and bought his dream boat, which he researched for over a year before ordering.  He named the 36’ Mainship, “Jani.”  The couple decided to keep the boat at Pultneyville and joined the Pultneyville Yacht Club where many more adventures were enjoyed and many new friends were made, some of them so special they became life-long friends and family.  Winters,  John and Jani spent time in Florida and often returned to California and Nevada to visit friends and family.  John also became interested in working out and developed a lasting friendship with his trainer. 

Following a life-threatening illness in 2010, (from which he miraculously recovered after nearly two years) John joined the YMCA in Pittsford and worked out rigorously five days a week.  He bonded with several amazing people there, some of whom became so close that he considered them part of his extended family.  

During that time John also served as a dedicated volunteer every Thursday for Unity’s Medical/Oncology Unit at the St. Mary’s campus.   His compassion and love for people brought much joy to patients there over the years.  He often reflected on how much he admired the strength and positive attitude that the medical professionals and many of the patients projected during the difficult times they endured.   

John had a dynamic personality with an extraordinary curiosity and love for life and all living things.  He had a gift of encouragement, and he always believed the best in everyone he met.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh and entertain others with his colorful stories and silly sayings.  He was a wonderful human being, totally authentic and remarkably stable.  He was a very grateful and happy person with unconditional love and a perpetual sense of optimism.  He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.  

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