Dwight Angelo Howard, of Union, Maine, passed away peacefully early Monday morning September 23, 2024 with his wife Nancy by his side after a brief illness.

Dwight was born on September 17, 1932 to Dorothy and Angelo Howard in Union. The family farmed their land with Dorothy operating an assisted living service for elderly adults in their home while Angelo performed a variety of construction jobs including swinging a 16 pound hammer breaking rock for a number of years.

Dwight picked up the same hard work ethics as he was granted his first business loan as a Sophomore in High School when he bought a tractor which he would use to plow and care for gardens on his way to and back from school. In between school and working for others, he raised his own corn, beans and other vegetables for the local cannery. Still a teen, the State of Maine certified Dwight as a member of the “Five-Ton Corn Club” for having achieved that yield from his crop.

Not all work, Dwight played baseball and basketball in High School and loved to hunt and fish throughout his years. Much to the chagrin of some of his family, he remained a devoted New York Yankees fan his entire life!

Following High School he was in the Army and trained in locomotive mechanics and other skills. While always proud to be a veteran, he unfortunately chose to not take advantage of veteran benefits. Because of his poor eyesight, he could never be considered for any combat duty and he felt those benefits should be reserved for “those guys”, as he put it.

Following his service in the Army, he married Nancy Messer and together began their own farm career. Dwight worked a variety of jobs including a stint as a Guard at the Maine State Prison on nights which afforded him the ability to work his farm during the days. He raised beef cattle and raised squash on their farm when a life changing opportunity arose when he was recruited to be Farm Manager at Aldermere Farm in Rockport.

Aldermere Farm at that time was the oldest original herd of Belted Galloways in the United States. Working with owner Albert Chatfield Jr., they researched genetics, improved fields and feed crops and built what became known as the most outstanding herd in the United States, if not the world. Dwight took cattle to the annual National Shows and often won Grand Champions with Aldermere’s cattle. They sold cattle to farms all over the country but also imported and exported cattle internationally. This international recognition led Dwight to be asked to come to both Scotland and Australia to judge their own National Belted Galloway shows. In 2001, the United States Belted Galloway society recognized him for his outstanding leadership and support for the growth of the breed throughout the United States.

Closer to home, Dwight served as Livestock Superintendent at the Union Fair and served as President of the Maine State Beef Producers including being inducted into their Hall of Fame. Dwight’s activities outside of work continued to be some hunting and fishing but he also served in the Rockport Boosters Club that for one project included building a skating rink in what is now the “swamp” across from the old Rockport Elementary school for kids and families to enjoy. He also served as a 4H Club Leader and a Little League Baseball Coach.

In retirement, Dwight and Nancy took camping trips across the country including one to Alaska that remained their favorite. They also for nearly 40 years took camping trips to Florida and then purchased a place there in Venice where they still have many dear friends.

Once a farmer always a farmer, Dwight and Nancy cared for and maintained a large vegetable garden even this year and maintained a fenced pasture next to the house so that a local farm would have a place to graze their Belted Galloways, keeping the breed close to his home and heart.

Dwight was predeceased by Parents Angelo and Dorothy Howard and brother Robert.

 He is survived by sisters Ivah White and Eileen Howard, wife Nancy, sons Ron (Sonja) Howard and Greg (Kathy) Howard and daughter Suzanne (Todd) Young. He was also blessed with five grandchildren; Jeremy, Heidi, Emily, Nicole and Derek along with 11 great grandchildren- Sage, Alden, Isabelle, Ewan, Cael, Zoe, Addie, Lucas, Boden, Lillian and Colby.

A celebration of life will be held October 19, at 2 p.m., at Brodis Blueberries, at 85 Jones Hill Road in Hope. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Life Flight Foundation, PO Box 859, Augusta ME 04332, for their services helping Dwight make it to his full meaningful 92 years.