October 20, 1922 to June 22, 2021

Howard Joseph Deimel, of Clearwater, Fla., and Sandy Hook, passed away peacefully on June 22 after a short illness. Howard was born on October 20, 1922, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and was the son of Harry Deimel and Matilda Knapp.

Howard grew up in Ozone Park, N.Y., and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, following high school. Howard saw combat in the Pacific during World War II as a Navy pilot flying torpedo bombers off of the USS Bunker Hill and USS Essex. Following the war, Howard remained in the Navy reserves and was called to active duty during the Korean War. He retired from the Navy in 1964 as a full Commander after 2,500 flight hours and 174 carrier landings, and having earned the distinguished flying cross for his sinking of a Japanese ship during World War II.

Coincident with Howard’s enlistment, he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Daley. Together they had five children and were married for 44 years until Mary Lou’s death in 1998.

Following World War II, Howard was employed at AT&T, where he worked for 35 years, retiring in 1981 as marketing director for the banking industry.

In his retirement, Howard enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family at their house on Lake Zoar where they enjoyed fishing and water sports. They also enjoyed sailing off of Clearwater, Fla., during winter months, where he kept his sailboat “Chairman of the Board.”

He is survived by his younger sister, Dorothy Chambers of West Hartford, Conn.; son Thomas Deimel and wife, Larraine, of Clearwater, Fla.; son William Deimel of Clearwater, Fla.; daughter Janice Hauck and husband, Tom, of Southbury Conn.; daughter Robin Hutchins and husband, John, of Houston, Texas; son Christopher Deimel and wife, Linda, of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; as well as nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from noon until 2 pm on Friday, July 2, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, followed by interment with military honors at St Rose Cemetery, 20 Cherry Street, Sandy Hook.