Howard S. Greenleaf, Jr., 86, of Derry, NH, died Sunday August 30, 2026 in the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH with his family by his side. He was born on September 3, 1939 in Newport, NH, son of the late Howard S. Greenleaf, Sr., Lillian B. (Clukey) Colby and Edward Colby. He had been a resident of Derry for the past 54 years, formerly living in Guild and Newport, NH. He graduated Towle High School, Class of 1957. He was a proud US Army veteran serving from 1957 – 1960 as an Information Specialist in the 3rd Armored Division. His ability to type earned him the honor of processing Elvis’s paperwork. Howie was employed as an Advertising Agent for the Manchester Union Leader for over 44 years. His proximity to the classifieds provided many surprises to his family over the years with random cars, a catamaran and even a pony for his daughters. He heard the word no many times in his life and it never stopped him. Anyone who knows Howie knows his exact colorful two-word phrase he used to answer these moments of doubt.
Howie grew up without much but chose to live a large life. He was rich in experience, travel, and friendship. He was eager to see the world and the Army gave the answer. It peaked at running with the bulls in Spain and later being fined for jay walking in Madrid. He picked up his camera and did not put it down for almost 70 years. He returned home to find his one lifelong career at the Union Leader. Not long after he met his wife of 60 years whilst proposing to another woman. Howie was consistent in loving big and making absolutely no sense. They traveled and partied with their large group of friends and family. The locations changed over the years, but he attracted and kept people in his orbit with his wild, irreverent sense of humor and generosity. The man could talk to anyone and he did extensively. His absence will be felt but he preferred to think, “If the road is there, I will see you up there."
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ginette "Jeanie" (Ruel) Greenleaf of Derry; two daughters, Stacie Loui and her husband Jason of Newmarket, NH, and Jessica Greenleaf of Manchester; two grandchildren, Gabriel and Ava Loui; He was predeceased by his siblings; brothers, Arnold, Andrew, Raymond, Bobby and Dicky and three sisters, Marion Townsend and Marilyn LaCasse both of Claremont, NH, and Maxine Wiggins-Guimond of Newport; as well as several nieces and nephews who fondly remember him as Uncle Peanut.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5 - 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 24th at 10:00am in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen, NH. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Salvation Army in Howard Greenleaf's memory.