AUBURN — Richard S. Howatt, 71, of Jay, died peacefully Thursday evening, June 21, at the Hospice House in Auburn with family members at his side. He courageously fought ALS with strength, a positive attitude and unwavering faith.

He was born in Farmington on July 15, 1946, son of Richard and Ruth (Fraser) Howatt. He was a 1965 graduate of Farmington High School and proudly served his country as a drill instructor in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was active in local veterans’ organizations serving as sergeant-at-arms and 2nd vice commander at the George Bunton American Legion Post 10 of Livermore Falls and a lifetime member of the AMVETS Post 33 of Jay. He was also a proud lifetime member of the NRA.

He received formal training at Hanson’s Barber School in Lewiston and was a barber for Howatt’s Barber Shop, Farmington. He later worked at the Otis Paper Mill and Androscoggin Mill for 20 years and retired from the town of Jay Highway Department after 16 years of service.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing at his favorite getaway “Matagammon” in Northern Maine; his favorite outdoor sport was bird hunting. He was a NASCAR enthusiast and enjoyed cheering on his Oakland Raiders on Sundays. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, Jay. One of his favorite pastimes was morning coffee with his friends at the AMVETS.

He will be lovingly remembered as a devoted family man who especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is loved by his wife of 49 years, Theresa Veilleux Howatt of Jay, (whom he married on April 12, 1969, at St. Rose); their sons: Rick Howatt Jr. and his wife, Michelle of Jay and Todd Howatt and his wife, Staci of Pelham, Ala.; two grandchildren: Emerson and Gracely Howatt (the “Dynamic Duo” as Grampa liked to say); two step-grandchildren: Dillon Newcomb and Kailee Newcomb; a sister: Dr. Sandra Martin and her friend, Terence Roder and a half-sister, Judith Massey; his mother-in-law, Anne-Marie Veilleux and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where a video tribute may be viewed beginning on Tuesday.

Richard S. Howatt