February 4th, 1948 - October 2nd, 2025
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the 7 ICU medical team at UMass Medical Center — including “Dr. John,” nurses Sam, Jess, and the many others who cared for George and his family with compassion and kindness during his final days.
George, affectionately known as “Jody,” grew up in Cochituate, MA, alongside his siblings, where he spent his childhood playing baseball, ice skating, and sledding down Lightning Hill. He created many fond memories with his family — like taking his sister Brenda to her first horror movie, Frankenstein 3D, which sparked her lifelong love of the genre. He was remembered by all as a great brother and a loyal friend.
In his teenage years, George worked at Carpenter’s Dairy Farm in Cochituate, where each sibling was given their own cow to care for — a memory still fondly recalled. He loved cars from a young age, participating in stock car races and demolition derbies, and later passing that enthusiasm to his family with regular trips to the Westborough Speedway.
George proudly served in the United States Army, working as a mechanic. During his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter M-14, and Good Conduct Medal. His storytelling brought his time in the military to life for his loved ones — often with humor and warmth — like his favorite tale comparing Army and Marine food rations.
After his military service, George built a life dedicated to family and hard work. He worked for Cott Soda before beginning a long career with the Medfield Public Schools, where he started as a custodian and retired as Head Custodian. Known affectionately as “The Sheriff” by the students, George was rarely seen without his cowboy hat — later proudly adorned with a star-shaped badge engraved with his name. The familiar jingle of his overflowing keychain was often the first sign that he was nearby.
George lived a simple but joyful life filled with laughter, adventure, and love. He enjoyed camping, fishing derbies, hunting trips, and weekends spent at the slot car track with his children. Around the campfire, his rendition of “Kaw-Liga” was a family favorite.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sharon (Kelley) Howland, and is survived by his children, Sherry (Howland) Currier and George Howland III; his grandchildren, Megan Currier, Brandon Howland, Samantha Currier, Toni Howland, and Jared Howland; and his siblings, Brenda Marchetti, Sharon Thibault and her husband Ronnie, Donna Gardner and her husband Paul, and Douglas Howland and his wife Beth. He also leaves behind a wide circle of extended family and friends who will forever remember his humor, kindness, and storytelling — affectionately known as “story time with Dad.”
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Consigli & Ruggerio Funeral Home, 46 Water Street, Milford, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tri-Valley, Inc., an organization supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities, at https://Trivalleyinc.org.
