Retired Boston Firefighter, Frederick J. "Fred" Howell, a resident of Quincy for 30 years and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Marina Bay Skilled and Rehabilitation Center in Quincy following an extended illness. He was 86 years old.
Fred was born in Boston on January 10, 1931, a son of the late William Howell and Julia (McDonald) Howell. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Brighton High School in 1949. Fred enlisted into the United States Air Force on September 14, 1950 and served his country faithfully and with courage during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on April 2, 1954 with the rank of Airman Third Class. Fred joined the Boston Fire Department in 1962 and was assigned to Ladder Company # 22, Engine Company # 3 and Ladder Company # 13 throughout his career. He was injured while fighting the fire at the Vendome Hotel on June 17, 1972 where nine firefighters lost their lives. He retired from the Boston Fire Department in 1985 following 23 years of dedicated service to the City of Boston. He was a member of the Boston Firefighters Union Local # 718, The Halligan Club of Charlestown and the Boston Firefighters Liars Club. He was also a member of the Old Charlestown Schoolboys Association.
Fred is the devoted father of Joan Howell and her husband Tim Egan of Braintree, Michael Howell and his wife Tricia of Upton and the late Frederick J. "Fred" Howell Jr. and his surviving wife Karen of Abington. He is the loving Grandfather to Julie, James, Kevin, Elizabeth, Thomas and Elizabeth. He is the beloved brother of William Howell of Wakefield, Marie Donovan of Florida, Ruth Thomas of Cambridge and the late Helen Putney, Sebastian Howell, Louis Howell, Thomas Howell, Michael Howell and John Howell. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Fred's visiting hour on Tuesday morning, January 17, 2017 from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown at 10:30 A.M. His burial at the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Bourne will be at 1:45 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Fred's name to The Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, 55 Hallet St. Dorchester, Mass. 02124.