Andrew J. Howitt

HOWITT, Andrew J. “Andy” 91 of Westwood, MA, died on May 2^nd. Son of Thomas and Annie Rita (Wilson),  natives of Scotland. Born in Boston and raised in Mattapan, Andy gained acclaim as the top student, President of Student Council, and athlete at Boston Technical High School and earned a scholarship to then Tufts College where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. In high school and college, he was a member of both Indoor and Outdoor track teams and in 1949 was State Champion in the 120yd High Hurdles with a record-breaking time of 15.9 seconds. He became a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow in 1946.

He began his career at United Shoe Machinery of Beverly MA in their Research Division. In 1958 he took a position with Gabriel Electronics where he designed the ASR-4 radar antenna. In 1962 he was hired onto the staff at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington where he worked on the design, fabrication, and assembly of the LES series of experimental communications satellites, as well as on several other important projects. He retired in 1996. A resident of Westwood for over 65 years, he was a stamp collector, a slow-pitch softball player on many teams including Nine Old Men, a Cubmaster and a Youth Soccer coach. He met his wife, Jane, on a double blind date. They married in 1956 and were married for 51 years and raised their three children in Westwood. An avid reader, duplicate bridge player, and sports fan, Andy also enjoyed travel. One of his first and favorite trips was when he was sent to represent Lincoln Lab at the 1969 Paris Air Show which was the first time the Boeing 747 and Concorde aircraft were seen. His wife joined him there and it was the start of many years of travel together. But he was also a devout home owner who rarely hired a repair man, fixing most things himself, he designed a second floor and added a screen porch he built himself. In later years he enjoyed the companionship of the late Ginny Christensen of Florence, MA.

Predeceased by his brothers, Thomas and John, his wife, Jane (Walsh), and his son, A. Wilson. Survived by his daughter Cynthia (Will) Sellers of East Falmouth, MA and son David Howitt of Everett WA and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Sunday May 21^st from 2-5pm. A Graveside Service will be celebrated at New Westwood Cemetery, 877 High St., Westwood on Monday morning May 22^nd at 11am. 

Donations in Andrew’s name can be made to Tufts Athletics/Track & Field/Cross Country (M) here:

https://give.tufts.edu/campaigns/21277/donations/new?a=4717172