Robert L. Howey, 96, formerly of Lake Wales, Florida and Stratford, Connecticut passed away peacefully at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida on March 29, 2017. Known to many as Bob, he came into this world February 11, 1921 in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania to Raymond F. and Emma A. (Walter) Howey and was an only child. After the family moved to Stratford in 1936, Bob was employed by Pearson's and Bedell's shipyards in Stratford as well as an assembler with Royal Leather Goods and General Electric Co. in Bridgeport. In 1939, he worked for Borck and Stevens in Bridgeport as a yacht sailor. From October 1940 to September 1942, he was employed by Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford as a sheet metal assembler. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in September 1942 and served until November 1945 achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was a proud member of the 68th Fighter Squadron in the 13th Air Force and served in campaigns in New Guinea, Northern Solomon Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon and Borneo. He was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Service Star.After his honorable discharge from military service, he earned his Certified Aircraft Mechanics license at Roosevelt Field in Mineola, New York in 1947. He rejoined Sikorsky Aircraft and began as an assembler/mechanic before being promoted to Leadman in Quality Control. Upon his retirement in February 1983, he was Foreman in Quality Control for final electrical inspection. In 1989, Bob andhis wife (Gladys) retired to Lake Wales, Florida where they resided until 2013. Bob enjoyed photography, woodworking, gadgetry and traveling with family. He took great pride in making pen and pencil sets for friends and family as well as coin maps and other carpentry projects. He also enjoyed auto racing with Indy Car and NASCAR and told countless stories of his experiences at the 1964 Indianapolis 500 and 1986 Daytona 500. Bob was a mild mannered and congenial person who enjoyed life with a smile, kind words and a good-natured joke for everyone. He was predeceased by his wife Gladys of 71 years and his parents, Raymond and Emma. He is survived by his two sons, Robert Howey II of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jeffrey Howey of Meriden, Connecticut; three grandchildren, Robert Howey III of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, James Howey of Huber Heights, Ohio and
Katrina Howey of Ballston Spa, New York; and five great grandchildren, Alexander, Joshua, Zachary, Jessica and Emma Howey.A visitation will be held at Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home in Stratford, Connecticut from 7pm to 9 pm on Thursday, April 6, 2017. Funeral service will be held at 10am on Friday, April 7 at Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home in Stratford, Connecticut, followed by internment with full military honors at Union Cemetery in Stratford, Connecticut