Charles F. "Charlie" Howe

New Braintree - Charles  F. “Charlie” Howe, 84, of New Braintree died on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at The Meadows of Central Massachusetts in Leicester. 

He leaves six sons, Michael G. Howe and his wife Cheryl of Gilbertville, Ronald C. Howe and his wife Holly of Rutland, Jefferey S. Howe and his wife Chris of New Braintree,  Kenneth A. Howe of New Braintree, David E. Howe and his wife Rhonda of New Braintree, and Scott R. Howe of New Braintree; four daughters, Patricia A. Young and her husband Ralph of Ware, Janet E. Bigos and her husband Alan of New Braintree, Ann M. Borelli and her husband Mark of New Braintree, and Barbara Vadnais and her husband Philip of Hubbardston, 25 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.  He also leaves his long-time best friend and fishing buddy, Henry Skowyra. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Carol (Riffenburg) Howe in 2010, his son, Charles F. Howe, Jr. in 2015, and his grandsons, Shaun and Randy Howe.  He was born in Worcester, son of the late Fredrick  and Anita M. (Tougas) Howe and was a life-long resident of New Braintree. 

Charlie owned and operated Howe Farms in New Braintree, a large vegetable farm supplying markets throughout the area.  Along with Carol, he enjoyed spending the New England winters at his home in Fort Myers, Florida, for the last 30 years.  He liked hunting and fishing, and has traveled thoughout the United States including 10 fishing trips to Alaska.

He formally served on the local USDA Loan Board, and also as a Selectman in the Town of New Braintree. 

A Funeral Service for Charlie will be held at 4:00PM on Sunday, November 4, 2018 in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield.  Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4PM in the funeral home prior to the service.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in New Braintree at a later date. 

An online guest book is available at varnumfuneralhome.com 

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