Obituary of Fred Howell

Fred Howell of 537 East Spring Street in Olean passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 in the Palliative Care Unit at Cuba Memorial Hospital, following an illness. Fred was born Aug. 29, 1938 in Olean and was the son of Clifton A. and Beryl Whittemore Howell of Eldred, PA. The eldest son of a sports-loving family, Fred was an all-around athlete who excelled at both basketball and baseball. Known as "Red" and later as "Fast Freddie," he was an all-star who pitched and played shortstop and first base on the field and served as center on the court due to his lightening-fast moves and impressive jump. In 1951 he became a hometown hero as the pitcher for the McKean-Potter All-Stars team which competed in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. As a teenager he was often asked to play on his dad Gecky Howell's adult team, and was always put on the roster despite his famous freckles. As a regional star, Fred was recruited to play with a local minor-league affiliate of the Phillies, but the area franchise quickly folded. Fred became a well-known fixture on the Olean sports scene, playing both baseball and softball for many years in the Olean Muny League and then the Old Timers League. The epitome of good sportsmanship and a true ambassador for the game, he rarely lost his cool. As sportswriter Mike Abdo wrote in a 1970 article, "Fred Howell-the one-time boy wonder who at the age of 12 pitched in the Little League World Series�is a guy who inspires the respect of the opposition and the loyalty of his teammates" ("Howell Doesn't Qualify as a Grizzled Vet"). Fred shared his consummate love for the game by coaching Olean Little League and Olean Girls Softball for several years, sharing his enthusiasm as well as his fearless third-base slide and legendary pitching secrets with countless young players. During a visit to the Original Little League field in 1994 with his family, his memories and comments on the condition of the field in Williamsport were "instrumental in creating a desire to bring the historic field back to its original condition," sparking a national fundraising and restoration project unveiled in 1996 at the 50th Anniversary of the Little League World Series. He was delighted to watch the Little League games last summer at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford with his wife and daughter. Trained as a field medic, Fred served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963. After showing his stuff in a pick-up basketball game, Fred was selected to represent the United States as a member of the 7th Army Basketball Team touring Europe. He was then made Director of Athletics and Recreation for the Post Gymnasium in Butzbach, Germany, where he and his staff designed recreational programs for thousands of service personnel. A 1956 graduate of Eldred High School, Fred worked as an inside sales buyer and manager of several departments for both Carnahan's Men's Store and Bradner's Department Store in Olean, NY from 1957 to 1966. In 1967 he Joined Hysol/Dexter Electronic Materials as a Lab Technician and became Customer Service Manager in 1984. After moving into sales in 1989, he was responsible for an international sales territory, servicing clients such as IBM, Motorola and Siemens, and increasing the company's multi-million dollar sales by seven-fold in five years. Upon his retirement in 1994, he focused on spending precious time with his family and with his devoted dog Pookas, with whom he was fast friends for over a decade. A drummer, reluctant clog-dancer and talented tap dancer in his youth, Fred was a lover of good music, especially that of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. He met his wife while harmonizing over the piano along with friends and family at The Olean House, and enjoyed singing hymns in church on Sunday and songs with his wife and sisters-in-law as well as with his classically-trained sister Sherry and her children at countless family gatherings. He taught his children to love music by crooning old favorites over backyard bonfires, especially their favorite, "O Mr. Moon". He loved to dance, especially the jitterbug, and never missed an opportunity to cut a rug. Always ready for a new adventure, and forever young at heart, Fred loved to travel. He was especially happy at the beach in Florida with his family, where he would spend hours each day walking the surf, collecting seashells, watching for dolphins and enjoying the waves, Gulf sunsets, and a Manhattan on the rocks with his loving wife and best friend, Bunny. In August, he traveled to Ocean City, MD for a wonderful vacation on the beach with his family. A friend and mentor to both young and old, Fred inspired joy and confidence in others, touching many lives with his easy-going nature, warm compassion, sparkling wit and quick sense of humor. He was a leader for decades at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Olean, where he was a member for 48 years and served in such roles as Sunday School Superintendent, Walther League Youth Counselor, member of the Board of Elders and as an active force on the Building Committee. On a hot and humid night in 1966, the church was filled with well-wishers standing in the aisles for the July 10 candle-light wedding ceremony of the young Fred and Bunny. Fred believed strongly in service to his community and was a frequent blood donor. A volunteer firefighter in his youth, in later years Fred traveled to area cemeteries, ensuring that Eldred firefighters were duly recognized with the firefighter flag each Memorial Day. Family and friends were at the core of all Fred did. A caring son and devoted brother, he lived for his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and sisters-and-brothers-in-law. He was immensely proud of his two children, and in the last few years he became a familiar figure in his wheelchair at his grandchildren's concerts, horseback riding events, dance recitals, baseball, soccer, hockey games and track meets. Fred will be very deeply missed and remembered with much joy. Along with his loving wife, Bunny Slavin Howell, of Olean, Fred is survived by two children, Tracee L. Howell of Bradford, PA and Christopher S. (Julie) Howell of Franklinville, NY, as well as five grandchildren, Jackson C., Isaac T., and Lily M. Howell, and Anna E. and Amy L. O'Neal. He was predeceased by his sister, Sherry E. Housler, on April 7, 2014. Friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 E. State Street, on Wednesday, Oct.1, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Friends will also be received in the Immanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at which time funeral services will be held. The Rev. Dr. Derek Cheek, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fred Howell's name to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4th and Laurens Sts., Olean, NY; the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Sts., Buffalo, NY; and the Olean Fire Department, N. Union St., Olean, NY. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.