Obituary of Floyd Howard

Floyd Howard Sidney--Floyd Wesley Joseph Howard, 67, died Wednesday, November 12th, in his home with his family near him and his beloved Charly on the floor beside his bed. Floyd fought a valiant battle against a terrible disease and impressed his family, friends and caregivers with his courage and sense of humor through it all. Floyd was born on January, 13, 1947 in Sidney, NY to Wesley Monroe Howard and Andrée Renee Madelaine Primel Howard. He was raised in Sidney, attended Sidney schools, and after graduation, joined the US Air Force. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant after 4 years and used his GI bill to attend Tri State College in Angola, Indiana, where his brother Ray was also a student. He eventually returned to Sidney to be closer to his father and finished his education at SUNY Oneonta. It was while a student here that he met his future wife, Patti. Patricia Bolles and Floyd were married on August 24th, 1974 in Walton and together decided to remain in Sidney to raise their family. That family came to include one daughter and three sons and, happily, two "bonus" daughters who entered the family through the couple's involvement with the Fresh Air Fund and their time as Foster Parents. Floyd loved his community and through the years was active in the Sidney Historical Society, serving a time as its President. He was a lifelong Democrat and served on the Sidney Democratic committee, and served as a Village Trustee. He was proud of some of the things accomplished during this time, including the purchase of the Civic Center. By far, his favorite community involvement was the years he spent as a pee-wee and little league coach for his sons. The boys on the "Orioles", the "Cardinals" and "Keith Clark" were his for a few weeks each year and he loved it. He also coached a pee wee football team. Floyd loved the sport of baseball, especially his beloved Dodgers. He was proud that he managed to make Dodger fans out of one son and two grandchildren. He was also pleased that he saw them play both at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn with his Dad and also at the Stadium in Los Angeles with his son Todd, the Dodger fan. Floyd was also very interested in genealogy, both his and Patti's. He spent many hours making new friends and uncovering family secrets. Music always filled the house. Floyd had a lifelong love of music of all kinds and this is a legacy that he passed down to his children and his grandchildren. Floyd was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia Bolles Howard; his brother Raymond Howard and his wife Rose of Apalachin and their son David; his daughter Elisabeth Paternoster Tyler of Chalfont, PA; sons: Todd Paternoster of Bainbridge, Nathan Howard and his wife Robyn of Poughkeepsie and Kyle Howard and his wife Keiko of Sidney. He is also survived by his two bonus daughters, Nancy Peck and her husband Greg, of Sidney and Towana Roberts and her husband Steve of Hempstead, NY. He is also survived by, and will be greatly missed by his grandchildren. He was unashamedly proud of each and every one of them, whether attending a game or a concert or just listening to them play. They brought many smiles to his face. He was, in the words of granddaughter Adrienne, "the best Papa ever to exist." They are, in order of appearance, Nicholas Paternoster, Adrienne Paternoster, Christopher Howard, Lucas Paternoster, Aiden Paternoster, Helen Howard, Avery Tyler, Samuel Howard and Simon Howard. With bonus children came bonus grandchildren, including Gregory Peck Jr. and his wife Kayla and their son Spencer, Nadine Peck and her fiancé Jeffrey, and Geoffrey Peck, all of Sidney, NY. Also, India Roberts Huggins with her two daughters; Ivy Conley, and Michael Conley with his daughter, all of Hempstead, NY. He is also survived by sister-in-law Karen Stanton and her son Seth Stanton, his wife Kristin and their children Kaitlyn and Emily of Albany, and her daughter Courtney Stanton and her fiancé John Pettinato of New Jersey. He is also survived by his very special cousin Michelle Tallour of Angers France, and her husband Michel. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the First Congregational Church, Bridge Street, Sidney. Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends at the Sidney Elks Lodge 2175, 104 River Street, Sidney, NY 13838. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in Floyd's honor, to the Humane Society or the Sidney Memorial Library. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.