The Reverend Canon Gregory Michael Howe, 80, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Seashore Point Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Provincetown.
Born in New York City on January 3, 1939, he was the son of James William And Dorothy Anita Behling Howe. Educated at Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, Greg went on to graduate from Columbia University before entering General Theological Seminary in Manhattan where he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree. Following the seminary, he was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of New York to the Diaconate in 1964 and to the Priesthood in 1965. With his love of theology, liturgy and history, Greg pursued post-graduate work at St. George’s College in Jerusalem and at the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
During his tenure in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, Greg served on the Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Council, and as Chair of the Standing Committee. At the national level, he served on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music where he helped develop, co-author and edit liturgical resources for use in worship. Recognized for his contributions, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church appointed Greg as Custodian of the Book of Common Prayer, a position he held until the year 2000.
Greg moved to Provincetown with his wife Bernice (Bunny) upon his retirement after serving as rector of historic Christ Church in Dover, Delaware for 34 years. Devoted to our community, he served as a board member of the Council on Aging, the Economic Development Committee, Friends of the COA, the Cemetery Commission, and the Conservation Commission.
A Requiem Eucharist in thanksgiving for Greg’s life and his service to the church will be celebrated on Friday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown, followed by a reception in St. Mary’s Nicholson Hall.
Greg was especially grateful for the loving care shown to him by his neighbors Lynn Hartness, Guy Busa and Scott Gasparello and for the excellent care provided by Seashore Point Wellness and Rehabilitation Center, VNA Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, Dr. William Shay and Dr. Brian O’Malley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be made to St. Mary of the Harbor 519 Commercial Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts 02657.