Howard was born in Jacksonville, Florida on May 19, 1929 to Albert H. Townsend Sr. And Corrine Thomas Townsend.
Howard was a U.S. Navy veteran who enlisted in 1946 and served on submarines. In July of 1952 he married Marcia L. Geilfus and enjoyed 60 years of marriage until her passing in September 2012. After being discharged from the Navy he attended college on the G.I. Bill and graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1953. Howard was a Merchant Mariner who made his living going to sea. He was an Electrician with the National Maritime Union (NMU) until he obtained his Third Engineer’s License in 1987. At that time he joined the Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association (MEBA) and sailed as a licensed marine engineer. He retired from the MEBA in 2006 at the age of 76. Howard belonged to the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. and enjoyed being around other retired submariners. As a young man growing up in Florida he enjoyed Playing golf and fishing and held a lifelong interest in electricity and radio.
He is survived by his son, Marshall H. Townsend and Daughter-in-Law Norita Vasquez Towsend, granddaughter Leslie M. Unnasch and her husband Kyle, granddaughter Clarissa M. Townsend and two great granddaughters Dakota Unnasch and Briar Unnasch.
Howard’s family wishes to thank everyone who made his life the special journey that it was.
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