Whitford, Jr, Howard B.

Howard "Red" B. Whitford, Jr, 91, of Newington, passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2023. Howard was born to Howard B. Whitford, Sr. and Ruth Butterworth Gibson Whitford on June 13, 1931. He served in the United States Air Force in the 1st and 26th Air Rescue Squadrons at Albrook Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone as a flight mechanic from 1949-1953. He went on to become a journeyman sheet metal worker for forty years as a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 40, proficient in all facets of the trade and specializing in architectural metalwork.

Howard married the love of his life Kathryn Ann Dunn in 1956 and they made their home in Newington for the past 60 years. For many years Howard and Ann owned Bix Furniture Stripping in Newington. Howard was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening and carpentry. He spent many fall weekends hunting with his best friend Edward Steben. Howard was an excellent storyteller with a dry sense of humor and loved to entertain with tales of growing up in Newington. He was known for his friendliness and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

Howard leaves his daughters Janet Whitford and Susan Whitford Halpin, and his grandchildren Jeffery Whitford, Gibson Halpin and Carter Halpin. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, his sisters Catherine Canfield Rowland, Marion Canfield Marusak, and Janet R. Whitford. There will be no calling hours and burial will be private. The family would like to thank Susan Hicks, Pamela Gordon, Susan Haswell, Kathleen McGuire, Melanie Wilson, and Stephanie Hubbard of Hartford Healthcare Hospice, and Ava Anderson, angels all.