Joseph Robert Howlin - Obituary

oseph “Bob” Robert Howlin, Jr., 65, a 40-year resident of Mayo, MD died on October 2, 2009 at the University of Maryland-Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD after a month long illness. He was involved in a motorcycle accident on the Bay Bridge on September 6, 2009. Born October 26, 1943 in Washington, D.C., to Rita Marie Howlin and the late Joseph Robert Howlin, Sr.,who died in 2001, he graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School and retired from Giant Food Stores in 2001. He helped run Howlin Seafood in Landover alongside his parents as a teenager and young man. Bob was a truckdriver for several trucking companies before owning his own crab boat. He loved crabbing and fishing with his wife and grandchildren. He loved driving and sightseeing with his wife who he called "My Bride". Prior to his accident, he drove children to schools and churches while working for VVS Charter Services. He owned a campground lot in Fredericksburg, Va,, where the whole family visited year round. He loved his 2004 Anniversary editon Harley Davidson motocycle. His grandchildren were his passion. His memberships included the Knights of Pythias, Lodge 8 in Edgewater, MD, Sons of the American Legion, Post 226 in Mayo, MD, American Legion Riders, Harley Owners Group (HOG) and retired Teamsters, Local 730. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, crabbing, vacationing with his family and was an avid Harley rider. Bob loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was the beloved husband of Sharon Rae Howlin, whom he married January 19, 1963; father of Joseph Robert Howlin, III of Riva, MD, Robin Lynn Wright of Brooksville, FL, Deborah Sue Shaw of Kent Island, MD and Buffy Ellis of Edgewater, MD; and brother of Sheila Messineo of Edgewater, MD and Carole Ann Fox of Crownsville, MD. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Kelly J. Wright, Christopher M(CJ) Wright, Jr., and Matthew Wright all of Brooksville, Fl., Caitlin M-Rae Berner of Crofton, Nicole M., Mikaela M. and Michael A. Ellis, Jr., all of Edgewater, Julia Howlin of Riva, Ciarra Noone, Shane Noone, both of Kent Island and Stephen S. Baer, II of Kent Island and one great-granddaughter, Sabrina Jones of Brooksville, Fl. He is also survived by three sons-in-law: Kevin Shaw of Kent Island, Christopher Wright, Sr., of Brookville,Fl. and Michael Ellis of Edgewater; one daughter-in-law, Janice Howlin of Riva; a brother-in-law, Walter O. Blackburn, Jr. of Brucetown, Va and four nieces and two nephews. Friends are invited to Bob's Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Friday, October 9 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm. A Memorial Mass will be offered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Road, Edgewater, MD on Saturday, October 10 at 11am with a Celebration of Life immediately following at Knights of Phythias, Edgewater, Md. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 236, Edgewater, MD 21037. Bob was very, very proud that his son, Bobby,Jr. was Chief of the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Dept. and his grandson, Stephen Baer was a firefighter for Annapolis City.