Southampton, MA — Howard Egleston Wing, 83, passed away on July 29, 2022. Born on March 29, 1939 in Woburn, MA, he was the son of Earl and Jennie (Goral) Wing. Howard grew up in Southampton on the Boulder Range Farm. He was a graduate of Westfield Vocational High School and went on to further his studies at Westfield State College. He worked from 1973 to 2002 as an automotive instructor at Pathfinder Regional High School. Along with being a teacher he started his family business in 1969 called Valley Snowmobile, they later transitioned in the 1980s to Valley Saw and Lawnmower. In 1964 Howard and his beloved wife Jocelyne N. (Belanger) Wing married, they spent over 58 wonderful years together. He enjoyed camping with family and friends, especially on Cape Cod and in Vermont. Howard loved to hunt and fish and he still enjoyed haying on the family farm. In addition to family activities Howard was a lifetime member of the Holyoke Revolver Club, he was also a Lifetime member and instructor for the NRA. Howard was a proud Veteran serving in the United States Air Force and later he continued as a firefighter in the Air National Guard at Barnes. He was also a volunteer fireman for the Town of Southampton. Howard was a lifelong patriot of his country and spent many years as a member of the American Legion.
Howard's love of everything that was powered by a motor brought him to his involvement in drag racing cars and ice oval snowmobile racing, where he also served as Race Director. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors which he entered in tractor pulling competitions.
He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Jocelyne, his three daughters and their husbands: Donna and Robert Gaj of Blandford, Karen and Joe Dumais of Granby and Jennifer and Bruce Haracz of Westfield. He leaves his four beloved grandchildren John Gaj, Carly Griffin and her husband Mac Griffin, Taylor Dumais and Brandie Dumais. Howard leaves his sister-in-law Judy Wing and was predeceased by his brother Paul Wing, Sr, brother Timothy Wing and sister-in-law Linda Wing.
Howard's funeral will be held on Tuesday August 9, beginning at Our Lady of The Valley Church, 33 Adams St., Easthampton, with a Funeral Mass at 11 AM, his interment will follow with Military Honors in the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours will be held on Monday August 8, from 5 to 7PM at the Boucher-O'Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Legion Post 168, P.O. Box 108, Southampton, MA 01073.