Edward M. Howe

North Greenbush- Edward M. Howe, age 86 of North Greenbush, died peacefully on June 2 surrounded by his wife Helen (Phelan) of 61 years and their loving family. Ed, nicknamed "Ned", was born on August 5, 1929 in Troy, New York to the late Edward Howe and Ellen Hurley McMullen. His early years were spent in West Rutland, VT. Upon moving to Albany he attended and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1947. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps from 1951-1952. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Ed attended Siena College where he graduated with a BA in English in 1954. Ed had a personality that filled the room. Following graduation, he became a salesman at the prestigious Albany men's clothing store; McMannus & Riley, where he served thousands of steady and returning clients, including members of the New York Giants football team. Ed left the clothing business and joined Regal Art Press of Troy from which he retired in 1987. One of Ed's greatest interests in life was the railroad, both in real life and in model trains. He feverishly studied and observed rail equipment and routes of such well-known lines as The Delaware and Hudson Railroad, The New York Central, The Boston and Maine, and The Rutland Railroad. He constantly befriended rail-men and engineers between Albany and Rutland, VT, listening with a child's imagination to their life-time experiences on "the tracks." Ed transitioned this knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the railroad to model railroading, where he became one of the most prominent minds and collectors in the Northeast. Beloved husband of Helen Phelan Howe; loving father of Eileen (Rick) Bird, Mark (Ann) Howe, and Peter (Kami Hess) Howe; cherished grandfather of Ethan James, Megan Nicole, Braden Michael, Myles Stephens and Simon Peter; and fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. All are invited to calling hours on Sunday from 3pm-6pm at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer. Funeral service will be held on Monday, June 6 at 10am at St. John Evangelist/St. Joseph Church on Herrick St. in Rensselaer. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to To Life!, 410 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY or to the charity of your choice.