Howard Rockwell Beach, 88, passed away on December 12, 2019. He was born in Westport Connecticut, the son of Horace and Mildred Beach. He graduated from the Towanda, Pennsylvania schools. He joined the U.S. NAVY during the Korean War and served on the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea.

He pursued his civilian education at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Upon receiving a B.S. in Elementary Education he accepted a teaching position in Westfield N.J. That year he was offered a summer science grant at Rutgers University. He married Janet Kneiss of Taylor, Pennsylvania, a graduate of Mansfield and also a teacher in the New Jersey Schools.

He continued to enjoy teaching in the Owego Appalachian Public Schools as his family grew. During this time he received his Master's in Elementary Administration from Cortland University.

In 1966 he became the elementary school principal of Bolivar Road Elementary School in Chittenango, NY. He retired in 1991, always cherishing and appreciating the special relationships and lasting friendships of those years. He was proud to have the kind, caring and supportive staff that made successful education their shared goal.

He is survived by his devoted wife Janet of 60 years with whom he spent enjoying countless sunsets in AnnaMaria Island, Florida and summers at their cottage on the Susquehanna River in Wysox PA. Four children, Howard (Greece), Lori (Hammondsport), Robert (Susan)(Hilton) and Jennifer Nicholson (Patrick)(Baldwinsville).

Six grandchildren, Emma, Robbie, Grace, Bailey, Seamus and Myra gave him years of joy and cherished memories along with many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased were his parents and three sisters, Freda Harris, Doris Woodward and Mae Martin.

A private Military Ceremony will be held in honor of Howard at the Falardeau Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers and to celebrate his life, donations can be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center at joslin.org.