Thomas J. Howard, 80, of Village Drive, Smithfield, passed away on Wednesday January 24th in RI Hospital surrounded by his family.
Born in Smithfield, a son of the late James and Arline (Naser) Howard. He lived in Smithfield his whole life. He had been a Professional Tractor Trailer Driver for the former B & E Transportation in Smithfield for 20 years before retiring in 2007.
He had been a coach with SYSA (Smithfield Youth Soccer Association coaching his son and future daughter-in-law.
Tom, affectionately known as Papa Howie took up bicycle riding after his retirement. He then completed three MS-150’s beginning in 2008 with his son Tom Jr, his daughter-in-law Deb and his two grandsons, Thomas III and Nick. In October, 2009, his first big ride was with his son Tom Jr from Smithfield to Key West Florida where his son Todd lives.
The following summer, Tom rode solo from Seattle to San Diego traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway. The following year, he rode solo from Florida to San Diego along the southern border.
The following summer, in 2012, Tom and his grandson Thomas rode from the Canadian border to Rhode Island completing the east coast leg from Canada to Key West Florida.
In 2014, he learned that his grandson Thomas III was going to be studying abroad in Seville Spain. Tom talked his grandson into going to Europe a month earlier. They flew into Heathrow Airport, and together they rode through London, Paris, Amsterdam and Switzerland for a month before Thomas had to report to school.
In the winter of 2018 Tom peddled across New Zealand for 5 weeks.
Over the next two summers, he completed the northern tier from Seattle to Maine in two legs thereby completing his circumnavigation of the United States by bicycle. PH360.
In addition to biking, Tom loved fishing, camping and was often seen riding around town on his scooter with his favorite bowler hat.
He leaves his son, Thomas J. Howard Jr. and his wife Debra E. Howard of Smithfield and son Todd J. Howard of Key West, FL. He was the grandfather of Thomas J. Howard III and his wife Taylor of Cranston, Nicholas C. Howard and his wife Ashley of Smithfield, and Tiffany and Maritza Howard of Smithfield. He also leaves his former wife Lauranne Howard of Smithfield.
His funeral and burial were private.