Howard Carlton Bedford

February 5, 2023

Howard Carlton Bedford of Naples, FL, formerly of Greenwich, CT, died Sunday morning, February 5, 2023. A thirteen-year resident of Naples, FL, he is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Claire Jane Burger; their seven sons: Howard Eugene of Naples, FL, James (Ellen) of Andover, MA, Michael (Ann) of Greenwich, CT, John (Kathleen) of Naples, FL, Robert (Deborah) of Naples, FL, Kevin (Cheryl) of Norwell, MA, and William (Kim) of Naples, FL; 22 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A granddaughter, Victoria Claire, predeceased him.

Howard was born December 8, 1929 in The Bronx, NY to Carlton Howard Bedford and Mary Josephine Walsh, both deceased. He had five sisters, Lorrayne (Foerster), Ruby (DeLong), Elaine (Ryder), Joan (Ross), and Patricia (Norrgard). Patricia is his sole surviving sibling.

A graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School, Fordham University (B.S. Mathematics), New York University (M.S. Mathematics) and Providence College (Dr. Science), Howard had a life-long career in the Mathematics and Computer Science fields.

After initially working for the U.S. Civil Service and North American Aviation groups he joined IBM in 1959, eventually becoming the Project Manager for the Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo moon missions.

Howard resigned from IBM in 1968 to found Greenwich Data Systems which he successfully sold to Control Data Corporation in 1973. Later he joined FEDEX as Senior Vice President for their Advanced Systems Division in Colorado Springs, CO, where he managed the design and development of automated systems for the entire company.

Still later Howard founded Bedford Associates Inc. in 1980. BAI successfully completed numerous domestic and international contracts with many Fortune 500 firms prior to being acquired by British Airways as a separate subsidiary in 1987.

Upon retiring, and for the next twenty years, Howard and Claire visited many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He also enjoyed playing golf as a member of the Innis Arden (Old Greenwich) and Quail Creek (Naples) country clubs. From 1987 on Howard and Claire spent their winters as ‘snowbirds’ in Naples, FL, becoming permanent residents in 2010.

Howard was very philanthropic, both in his time allocation and donations to the various charities that he cherished including, as a lead trustee, at both Providence College and Iona University. Also, his favorite charities included Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Habitat for Humanity, Fordham University, Providence College, Cardinal Hayes High School and Maryknoll Missionaries.

Howard was a brilliant, religious and true gentleman. He loved his family above all, and especially his wife, Claire. He lived a life of faith, love and gratitude and while he will be remembered for his professional successes, above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel in Greenwich, CT at a later date. For online condolences, please visit www.fullernaples.com