Howard Wayne Gifford, of Westport, peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Laura A. (Healy) Gifford.
Born January 27, 1933 to Chester Arnold Gifford and Theresa F. (Macomber) Gifford, of Westport Ma. Howard grew up in Westport MA where he spent his time enjoying the river and tending to a variety of animals on the family farm, home of the legendary Macomber turnip. He helped his grandfather cut Ice from the family ice ponds and deliver it to local customers for their ice boxes. During the summers of his high school and college years, he worked at Tripp’s Boatyard. He studied at Northeastern and UMass Dartmouth and graduated in 1956 with a B. S. degree in Engineering. Upon graduating he started his professional career as an engineer at Electric Boat in Groton, CT designing both nuclear attack and Polaris submarines. In 1961 he shifted focus and designed deep diving small research submersibles. In 1968 Howard took a position as Vice President of Engineering at Prelude Corp. in Westport MA, where he was responsible for developing and maintaining an offshore deep-water lobstering fleet. In 1974 Howard accepted a job at Rodney Metals in New Bedford developing machinery to produce high precision, thin metals for numerous hi-tech industries. During this time and after retirement Howard was very involved with the Westport Fisherman’s Association advocating for the protection of our rivers and estuaries. He was integral in preserving the Historic 1888 Horseneck Point Lifesaving station and its history. Howard also spent 10 years as the Chairman of the Trustees for the Westport Point United Methodist Church and 6 years on the board of the Westport Historical Society.
When Howard was younger he enjoyed snow skiing, where he met his wife Laura, fishing, gardening and spending time on the water. Shortly after getting married, Laura and he enjoyed building their dream home and starting their family. Later in life he enjoyed sailing, tending to his property and wood carving of all of the waterfowl he loved.
Survivors along with his wife include his children: Deborah G. Torre and her husband Albert of Wiscasset, ME, Elisabeth L. Ronan and her husband David of Westport and Scott M. Gifford of Pawcatuck, CT; 4 grandchildren: Zachary, Colby, Andrew and Charlotte; 3 great grandchildren: Sam, Ellie and Lukas; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Richard A. Gifford.
Memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Westport Point United Methodist Church at 10:30 A.M. followed by a gathering at Bittersweet Farm, Westport from 12-4 P.M.
If you wish to make a donation in Howard's name here are some suggestions:
Westport Historical Society, P.O. Box N-188, Westport, MA 02790, the Westport Point United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2, Westport Point, MA 02791 or the Buzzards Bay Coalition, 114 Front St., New Bedford, MA 02740.