John W. Howard, 70, husband of Betty Mary Anne (Printz) Howard, former longtime resident of Town Farm Road, Ipswich, died Sunday March 15, 2009 in his Jensen Beach, Florida home following a long illness.  He was surrounded by his family and pets.  

Born in Ipswich, he was the son of the late William C. and Helen L. (Brown) Howard.  Raised and educated in Ipswich, John and his late father owner and operated Howard Instrument Company on Market Street.  He worked in Cambridge, for American Science and Engineering as the Director of Manufacturing for twenty-five years.  John later owned and operated John Howard Associates before becoming co-owner of the family Home Health Care Agency.  

John was a longtime member of the First Church of Ipswich, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the American Defense Preparedness Association, and a senior member of Robotics International.

In addition to his wife of forty-seven years, he is survived by two daughters, Amande Elizabeth Howard, presently of Jensen Beach, FL and Kimberly Anne Eckmann of Ipswich, two grandchildren, John Newell Corley and Amy Alice Corley presently of Ipswich, a sister, Susan Boice of Ipswich, and a nephew, Brian Richardson of Northport, FL.

Funeral services will be held Saturday March 21, 2009 at 10 am in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich followed by interment in the New Highland Cemetery, Ipswich.  Family and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a contribution in his name to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B2, Danvers, MA 01923.