Howard (Howie) David Falkin, 82, of West Hartford, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and loyal friend,passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Hartford Hospital with his family by his side. Howie was born in Hartford, CT on November 11, 1934, son of the late Edward and Ruth Falkin. He resided in West Hartford his entire life. He was a graduate of William Hall High School class of 1952 where he was voted class wit and he was a member of the first graduating class of The University of Hartford in 1956. Upon his college graduation, he fulfilled his military obligation to his country by completing six months’ active service and seven years in the reserves.
His entire professional career was spent at Aetna Life & Casualty where he made broadly-based contributions to the company as an executive in both the group and pension divisions. He was on the ground floor in the development of automating pension benefits for the company. He also served on a number of insurance industry committees.
Howie volunteered his time and talents to organizations such as the West Hartford Senior Job Bank, the Better Business Bureau and by performing wedding ceremonies as a Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the Hartford Chorale and he was a lifetime blood donor.
Howie was a renaissance man with a wide range of interests and abilities. He found great pleasure sitting as his piano and swinging his golf clubs on the links. On Mondays and Thursdays, he could be found playing duplicate bridge with favorite partner, his wife, Barbara. He never met a crossword puzzle he couldn’t solve. He loved literature and all things related to technology. He valued the sense of camaraderie and adventure that sailing the seas with Norm and the crew of Arbella brought to him.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Barbara Malley Falkin. In addition, he is survived by his dear sister, Ethel Fried and his loving children and their families; Elise Anne Falkin, John, Alex and Sarah Healy; Leslie and Michael Fialkievicz; David and Margie Malley; Steven, Bonnie, Jacob and Matthew Malley and Kenneth, Sara, Zev, Aaron and Alanna Malley. He also leaves cousins, nieces and nephews as well as Joyce M. Falkin, the mother of Elise and Leslie. He was a constant presence in the lives of his grandchildren, serving both as a guiding beacon and a steadfast anchor.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Hartford Hospital for the compassionate care Howie received in his final days. Additionally, we are grateful for the special rapport and connection that developed between Howie and Dr. Edward Salerno and Dr. Samuel K. Anyatonwu, which transcended the traditional doctor/patient relationship.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 10:00am in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford,CT with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in the Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery, 119 Affleck St., Hartford, CT.
Relatives and friends are invited to the family home on Sunday, February 5th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm with a service at 4:00pm and again on Monday, February 6th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Howard, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beth El Temple, West Hartford or Taglit Birthright Israel Foundation
