THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Howard T. Ballard
Issue Date: June 9, 2022
Howard T. "Rowdy" Ballard, 90, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at his home in Venice, Fla.
Born July 21, 1931 in Flushing, N.Y., to Helen and Charles Ballard, he graduated from Port Washington High School in 1948 and attended Admiral Farragut Preparatory School. He then attended the United States Naval Academy in 1951 and married Joan Crittenden on Dec. 4, 1954.
He served in the United States Navy active duty and then as a reservist. After service, he was in the manufacturing business in Mississippi and Pennsylvania. In 1982 they purchased The Barrington Inn on Block Island, R.I. where they became innkeepers and lived on Island for 30 years.
Block Island was one of his favorite places to be. He summered there as a child and it remained dear to him through his life. A man of many talents, he loved photography, model ship building, beach combing, coin collecting, sailing, fishing, golfing and also placing his own pots for lobstering.
They relocated to Venice Fla. in 2012 where they lived in a retirement community of warm, friendly people.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan; a son, Howard "Guy", (Anita Behrendt); three daughters, Gwen Christiana, Gail Hall (Geoff Hall) and Geri (Mike Shatusky); three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael Ballard (Becky Ballard) and additional family and friends.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and James Ballard.
A Memorial Service will be held on Block Island at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida or one's favorite charity.