| Date of Birth | August 21, 1924 |
| Date Deceased | July 5, 2023 |
| Hometown | Arkport |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | July 11, 2023 |
| Service Time | 10 a.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home |
| Interment Location | Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport |
JACK “BING” HOWE
ARKPORT – Jack “Bing” Howe, 98, of Arkport, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, attended by family members. He was born in North Hornell, August 21, 1924, son of the late Charles and Lillian (Kelly) Howe. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of more than 68 years, Joyce (McCarthy) Howe, as well as all 12 of his siblings.
Bing was a 1943 graduate of Arkport Central School and was soon thereafter drafted into the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served as a Signalman with the U.S. Navy Armed Guard aboard the Liberty Ship SS Edwin Markham, and later aboard the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore, arriving at Nagasaki, Japan soon after the dropping of the atomic bomb on that city. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Bing embarked on a 40 plus-year career as the village barber in Arkport. Affectionally known by many as “Mr. Arkport”, he served at various periods of time as the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Trustee, Water Commissioner, Zoning Board member, as well as Election Inspector in Arkport, and finally as the Town of Hornellsville Highway Superintendent. Many former students of Arkport Central School remember him well as their school bus driver, a part-time job he held for a number of years. He was also active in community organizations, serving as the Arkport Hose Company Fire Chief, American Legion Post 1248 Commander, member of the Arkport Exchange Club, and the Arkport Rod and Gun Club.
Bing enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joyce, to many locations throughout the United States and Canada as officers of the National Campers and Hiking Association. They also traveled to many foreign countries associated with Joyce’s position with the International Society of Post Masters. However, one of Bing’s greatest joys was going up to his pond off of Oak Hill and just sitting on the front porch of his log hunting cabin, having a beer with his friends.
Surviving are his sons: Jack (Donna) Howe, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Donel (Lisa) Howe, of Arkport; and a daughter, Kelly (Larry) Rose of Howard, NY. Seven grandchildren: Kimberlee Howe, Ryan (Jodi) Howe, Jason Rose, Charles Howe, Kristy (Jacob) McBride, Michelle (Kevin) Gilmore, and Jamie Rose. Great-grandchildren: Logan and Kaleb Howe, Kennedy and John (“JJ”) Gilmore; Rhys, Rhett, and Torin Howe, as well as Jackson and Cecilia McBride. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Carolyn McCarthy, of Hornell; special niece, Cynthia Crouch of Cicero, NY; a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as a very special caregiver, Marguerite Stephens.
The family will receive callers from 6-9 p.m., Monday (July 10, 2023), at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main Street, Hornell. A funeral service will be conducted 10:00 a.m., Tuesday (July 11, 2023), at Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto, with graveside military honors to follow at Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport.
The United States flag and the Navy flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Bing’s military service.
Donations can be made to the Arkport Fire Department, 6 Park Avenue, Arkport, NY 14807; or to CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Bing’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Bing are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
Bing Howe was a joyful and caring man. I always enjoyed our conversations. My sincere sympathy to his family and friends. A man genuinely committed to his family and community. Rest In Peace my friend.
Shawn D. Hogan
Such sad news to hear. Bing was such a wonderful, kind, and special man. He will be greatly missed by many. My condolences to Bing’s family as they go through this most difficult time.
Susan Norton-Wellington.
I met Bing through my husband Dave back in the eighties. From that moment on he treated us as family. He offered us a spot on the pond which we enjoyed almost every weekend in the summers. I will always remember the stories and laughs we had while sitting around the campfires. He will always have a special place in my heart for being a wonderful and generous man. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. May all your fond memories help you through this difficult time.
Bing was a great man who loved his family, friends and his community. His sense of humor, generosity and kindness were only some of the hallmarks of his personality. He was loved by all who knew him. Thanks for a wonderful life of service, Bing. You will be missed. Jim and Marilyn Lusk
I met Bing through Don GLOVER and received a warm welcome the camp.Bing was the eminent huntmaster he knew every tree on his land,maybe not every deer.He had a heart as big as the great outdoors,l loved him and will miss him very much Jimbrown
There was and will only ever be one “Bing”. My brother and I were introduced to Bing like I suppose many youngsters were, in the Barber chair before we were 10; its an experience you never forget. Bing’s Barber Shop was a special place in Arkport for us and we typically timed a needed haircut with our long trips to visit Grandma Glover and the relatives. I don’t recall a haircut as a welcome and fun activity usually but Bing ALWAYS made it that way and that’s why we ALWAYS wanted to visit with him, the only Barber we really liked. Bings Barber Shop was always full of unique “characters” including the Barber himself who, like the ringleader, joyfully led the conversation among all in attendance, everyone participated and the humor and wit was the sharpest I’ve ever encountered; many lessons were learned at Bings Barber Shop! Of course there were the “stories” of times gone past, which proved to be better then anything on TV(sometimes hard to believe too!) and what the both of us came to believe was a “rigged” quarter game Bing had invented – his “match” game. We never seemed to win and our quarters disappeared faster then the hair on our head while sitting in the barber chair. While many people remember the Beatles for their music, I will always remember the Beatles as the reason Bing’s Barbershop almost closed for good! He always told us when the Beatles came to America no one got haircuts anymore….it was “tough times with all those long hairs running around back then…”, Bing would tell us on more then one occasion…
Typically we visited around Deer Season, since our Dad AKA “The Great Hunter” would never miss a season, though while the hunt was certainly the predominant reason, spending time with the likes of Bing we soon came to learn was just as important. We spent many a day hunting the hills around Arkport with Bing. We never met a person who ever had a bad thing to say about Bing though Bing would always say that’s because he outlived them all, he was never at a loss for humor, never missed a beat. The amount of history and knowledge Bing had in and around the hills of Arkport never failed to amaze us. He could tell you about a single tree hundreds of yards into the woods to look for and where to go; he was never wrong. He knew where and when the Deer would make their appearance and sure enough, again, he was always right. Bing was always so kind and always the teacher. He openly offered up his Cabin for us to stay during Deer season, there was no better place to be and you had better mind the wood stove or you’ll be sleeping outside! We always enjoyed teasing him about the decorations in the Cabin and as a yearly ritual we would try and bring something to add to the “color” of the place; sometimes he seemed happy about what we brought, other times, not so much. The last straw was when we brought him some table lamps made of Elk legs/hooves. He did not like those – he was always sure to remind and thank us for bringing him those horse or cow feet…
Bing will always be remembered by our family for the reasons many here have also written about. He welcomed anyone and shared in a way that is an example for all to follow. My brother and I only knew Bing for the last 45 Years, what an amazing life Bing led and the people he so positively impacted spanned generations. Even my 9Yr old, who met Bing only a couple of times, regularly asked me about Bing; eagerly telling whoever would listen all about Bing and his Cabin. We will all miss Bing dearly and our memories of him will be with us each and every day going forward.
The Glover Family
Donnie, Rosemary, Don & Doug
I was fortunate to have known and worked with Bing. He and Joyce were great members of the Arkport/Hornellsville community. Good memories of coffee conversations. Good by my friend