Teacher, Civil War re-enactor Harry B. Howe dies

Harry B. Howe never met a role he didn't like.

From the plays in which he performed as a high-school teacher to Santa Claus to a Union Civil War soldier, the longtime Valley Stream resident always was ready to jump into character.

"He was a show-off," said Howe's son Jonathan of North Babylon. "He liked to play characters and he was a character, too."

Howe died in his sleep Wednesday at his Valley Stream home, his son said. He was 96 and had lived for 70 years in Valley Stream.

Howe participated in Company H, 119th New York Volunteer Infantry Historical Association, a Civil War re-enactment organization based at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

His friends from the re-enactors' group said Howe was a grandfatherly figure. "He was well into his 80s and he'd be on a Civil War hike, wearing a backpack in Virginia heat and marching with men much younger than him," said Jim McKenna, site director at Old Bethpage. "He was just an inspiration, a warm, sweet guy with a lot of stamina."

Harrison Hunt, former curator at Old Bethpage, said Howe took his period roles seriously. "Whatever it was, the militia or period dancing, he made sure he knew the drills, knew the steps," Hunt said. "He always had a sunny disposition and was very good with the public."

Born in Manhattan, Howe served in the 6th Armored Division in Europe during World War II. After the war, he worked for Brooks Brothers on Madison Avenue and then as a business teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School. In 1976, after retiring, he became involved in military re-enactments.

Howe also was a popular Santa Claus, especially during Christmastime at Old Bethpage. Jonathan Howe said his father always played Santa for family and naturally expanded the role at the historical site. His son said Howe was so good as a 19th-century Santa that Old Bethpage officials got him a special, red-and-white period suit for his performances.

Besides his son, Howe is survived another son, David Howe of Cutchogue; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife, Edwina, died in 2006.

A memorial service is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Valley Stream, followed by burial at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.