Lunch with Howie at Skinny's

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:51 pm

Skinny's is a favorite stop for Elizabeth & Anastasia. We scored the table next to Howie's plaque today. I'll post pics in our TR, but I got teary as I read Howie's blessing out loud for my three girls. "As much as I did love St. John, I have found the perfect peace"

Thanks for the peace Howie.

Cheers, RickG[/list]

nascarfan59 · Post by **nascarfan59** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:47 pm

God Bless Howie. Ring the bell for me Rick.

JT · Post by JT » Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:05 pm

Howie always had nothing but nice things to say to everybody on this board. Talk about "getting it", I think he personified "getting it." Howie's posts from the old board were the main thing that I missed when they went to the Gates of Cyber Heaven, or whatever happened to them.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:16 pm

Would some of you "old timers" relate Howie's story...keep the legacy going here? Thanks.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:35 pm

This is post from Jan from back in 2006 I think it says it best.
-peace

Howie was such a positive force on this forum and was extra helpful to Mike & I when planning our 1st trip to STJ in May 04. He & his wife Cindy (Sunshine) liked Coral Bay and Skinny Legs was Howie's favorite hang out. Check back in the archives of 2003 and 2004, his posts are always upbeat and warm.

Howie & Cindy lived in Mass. and while in the Northeast Fall of 2004 we spent a day with them in Mystic Ct. We began our morning as newly met fellow forumites and parted that evening as good friends. Howie was as laid back and genuine as all of you have pictured him. They were planning a trip to Va in January 05 (Cindy ended up coming alone) to meet up with other forumites Derek & Barb in Richmond.

Three weeks after we met them Howie died on October 14th of a massive heart attack. He was a musician and Derek posted a link to a beautfiul song "When Angles Rock us to Sleep", something Howie had co-written. It gave all of us on the forum some peace about losing our buddie. Then a memorial came about and in Nov 04 fellow forumites decided on a plaque, and the rest is history. I know that Howie & Cindy met other forumites while on Island and up in New England I believe. He made a lot of friends on this forum, we were glad we got to meet him.

I am going to get CalifGirl to help me post a couple of pictures of Howie and see if I can't get Derek to post the link to the song. It is such a beautiful song, every time I listen to it I still cry.

So 2 years ago Mike & I were part of the celebration at Skinny's. We are looking forward to seeing Bill & Sandie there this December (and any other fellow forumites) and toasting our bud Howie.

As Howie always signed off.................peace

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:32 pm

Thanks for the explanation. There's a special place in heaven for people who are kind and go out of their way to help virtual strangers!

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:52 pm

Thanks so much, Xislandgirl.

I'd unsuccessfully searched for the story after seeing the bell at Skinny Legs and then seeing this pic

Howie's story is a good one...I'll remember.

Edited 11/2010 to update location of photo.

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:44 pm

Yo....There were about 10 of us there the day we put the plaque up. A forumite had two plaques made and I forget who there are. Please forgive. One plaque came with Mike and Jan, the other went to Cindy, Howies' wife. Those in attendace included Ronnie Lockhart from St Thomas yes that Ron in USVI, Art and Ann Bowers, Mike and Jan, my wife Sandie and I, another couple and a lady and last but not least one Anthony Finta, yes that Anthony of this here forum. It was as if the whole forum was there as we hung the plaque and called Cindy so she could hear the words and hear the bell rung for the first time. Yes I choked up as I read it to the assembled. Yes I still choke each time I read it.
I need you know that Anthony picked up the tab for all. Thank you again Anthony.....God bless..Bill

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:19 pm

I joined the forum shortly after Howie passed. I wish I had been just a little sooner!

designbyroe · Post by **designbyroe** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:46 pm

Thank you so much for posting that. I just recently came on the forum and even though I lived on St. John, did not know Howie and the story.

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:11 pm

Just read through all the posts about Howie. Wow, got choked up all over again. I have nothing to add to what everyone else has written; ditto to it all.

Yeah, Howie was a special guy. His love for STJ came through along with his love for people. A couple of years ago when Cindy and one of their daughters went to STJ she spread some of his ashes at one of the beaches, not sure which. Ronnie was instrumental in setting everything up at Skinny's for us and it was a great group of folks there that day.

Peace (as Howie would say)
Jan

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:01 pm

Awww Rick - thanks for the reminder of Howie...definitely a person that touched so many of us!

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:46 pm

Nice posts, Rick and all...I remember Howie's positive and gentle presence on the Board.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:38 am

I used to be in touch with Howie's Sunshine...has anyone heard from her lately? She's one of the sweetest ladies ever.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:27 pm

Whenever I'm at Skinny's I always raise my glass to Howie at least once. Sometimes I ring the bell and others I am a little more low key about it.

Howie was a good man.

Glad to know that so many remember him as fondly as I do.

((((Hugs)))

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