Obituary for Howard Marshal Haywood Sr.
Howard Marshal Haywood Sr. of Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2019 at the age of 78 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Newton, MA to the late Julia (Dorsey) Haywood and Alfred E. Haywood Sr.
On April 25, 1962, Howard married his childhood sweetheart Karen “Katy” Evans. They were blessed with three children Georgiana (deceased), Kristen and Howard Jr. who gifted them with three granddaughters Julia Tirah Haywood, Zoë Madison Smith and Carmen Victoria Velez Haywood and great grandson Giovanni Alberto Marshall Morales.
Graduating from Newton High School in 1958, he started working in the construction industry as a laborer for his mentor, teacher and ultimately best friend, Tom Whiting. If you asked Howard what he thought was his most satisfying accomplishment he would tell you becoming a journeyman bricklayer and receiving his Gold Card as a 50 year member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Union Local #3 Boston. Howard also received certificates for completing courses at Wentworth Institute in Plan Reading and Estimating and from the Church Training Center of Boston, MA in Biblical Studies.
Howard’s career as he would always testify to, was ordered by God. After working six years with Tom Whiting he joined the bricklayers union in 1964 as one of the few black members and worked the next 13 years for various contractors on buildings throughout the greater Boston area. In 1977, Howard was hired as a Jr. Inspector for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Design and Construction Department. His unlikely advance from Jr. Inspector to Assistant General Manager of Design and Construction is one of the reasons Howard attributes the journey of his life to God’s guidance. Howard held the position of Assistant General Manager for ten years which was longer than anyone had or has held that position. He loved to reminisce on the many transit projects that he worked on including Alewife Station, South Station Bus Terminal and the Transit Way Tunnels. After his 24 year career at the MBTA, Howard retired and joined AECOM as a Vice President in their Transit Rail Division and worked there for 5 years. He later joined Kleinfelder as a Client Manager retiring in 2013. Howard completed his professional career in 2014 after providing coinciding service for Trinity Engineering and Maintenance Inc.
Howard was what some call “bi-vocational”. In 1972, Howard was licensed to preach the Gospel at his home church Myrtle Baptist Church of West Newton, MA under Pastor Harold Pulley. Howard served as an associate Pastor and was ordained in January of 1980 under Pastor Robert Littlejohn. Howard would always say he was led by the Holy Spirit to be installed as Pastor of his beloved Myrtle Baptist Church on June 16, 1985. From 1985 to his retirement as Pastor, Howard held the two fulltime positions but always referring to Pastoring as an avocation and not a vocation.
Howard felt obligated to be engaged in civic activities in Newton, the City where he was born and truly loved. His involvement included serving on many public Boards and Commissions along with non-profit organizations. He served on the Newton Human Rights Commission, Planning and Development Committee, Council on Aging, Newton Housing Authority, the Newton Charter Review Commission and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. He also served on the Board of the Newton YMCA, Newton Boys and Girls Club, HARMONY, Newton Community Service Center, Newton Community Development Foundation and was an original member of the Federal Transit Administration’s Construction Roundtable. In spite of his busy schedule and responsibilities, Howard found time to enjoy his favorite pastime fishing with his brothers Alfred and Arthur and his lifelong friends Skip Carter and Flub Allen.
Howard was recognized with many awards and recognition for his service over the years but always felt blessed for being able to serve and always felt awkward in being singled out. Howard leaves to mourn his passing his wife Karen, daughter Kristen and her companion Kevin Armstrong, son Howard Jr., granddaughters Julia, Zoë and Carmen, great grandson Giovanni, brothers Walter and Gerald along with nieces, nephews, a host of cousins and friends. He joins his mother, father, beloved daughter Georgiana, brothers, Alfred, Arthur and one sister Elizabeth who predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Myrtle Baptist Church Scholarship Fund 21 Curve Street Newton, MA 02465 or Historic Newton 527 Washington St, Newton MA 02458.
On April 25, 1962, Howard married his childhood sweetheart Karen “Katy” Evans. They were blessed with three children Georgiana (deceased), Kristen and Howard Jr. who gifted them with three granddaughters Julia Tirah Haywood, Zoë Madison Smith and Carmen Victoria Velez Haywood and great grandson Giovanni Alberto Marshall Morales.
Graduating from Newton High School in 1958, he started working in the construction industry as a laborer for his mentor, teacher and ultimately best friend, Tom Whiting. If you asked Howard what he thought was his most satisfying accomplishment he would tell you becoming a journeyman bricklayer and receiving his Gold Card as a 50 year member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Union Local #3 Boston. Howard also received certificates for completing courses at Wentworth Institute in Plan Reading and Estimating and from the Church Training Center of Boston, MA in Biblical Studies.
Howard’s career as he would always testify to, was ordered by God. After working six years with Tom Whiting he joined the bricklayers union in 1964 as one of the few black members and worked the next 13 years for various contractors on buildings throughout the greater Boston area. In 1977, Howard was hired as a Jr. Inspector for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Design and Construction Department. His unlikely advance from Jr. Inspector to Assistant General Manager of Design and Construction is one of the reasons Howard attributes the journey of his life to God’s guidance. Howard held the position of Assistant General Manager for ten years which was longer than anyone had or has held that position. He loved to reminisce on the many transit projects that he worked on including Alewife Station, South Station Bus Terminal and the Transit Way Tunnels. After his 24 year career at the MBTA, Howard retired and joined AECOM as a Vice President in their Transit Rail Division and worked there for 5 years. He later joined Kleinfelder as a Client Manager retiring in 2013. Howard completed his professional career in 2014 after providing coinciding service for Trinity Engineering and Maintenance Inc.
Howard was what some call “bi-vocational”. In 1972, Howard was licensed to preach the Gospel at his home church Myrtle Baptist Church of West Newton, MA under Pastor Harold Pulley. Howard served as an associate Pastor and was ordained in January of 1980 under Pastor Robert Littlejohn. Howard would always say he was led by the Holy Spirit to be installed as Pastor of his beloved Myrtle Baptist Church on June 16, 1985. From 1985 to his retirement as Pastor, Howard held the two fulltime positions but always referring to Pastoring as an avocation and not a vocation.
Howard felt obligated to be engaged in civic activities in Newton, the City where he was born and truly loved. His involvement included serving on many public Boards and Commissions along with non-profit organizations. He served on the Newton Human Rights Commission, Planning and Development Committee, Council on Aging, Newton Housing Authority, the Newton Charter Review Commission and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. He also served on the Board of the Newton YMCA, Newton Boys and Girls Club, HARMONY, Newton Community Service Center, Newton Community Development Foundation and was an original member of the Federal Transit Administration’s Construction Roundtable. In spite of his busy schedule and responsibilities, Howard found time to enjoy his favorite pastime fishing with his brothers Alfred and Arthur and his lifelong friends Skip Carter and Flub Allen.
Howard was recognized with many awards and recognition for his service over the years but always felt blessed for being able to serve and always felt awkward in being singled out. Howard leaves to mourn his passing his wife Karen, daughter Kristen and her companion Kevin Armstrong, son Howard Jr., granddaughters Julia, Zoë and Carmen, great grandson Giovanni, brothers Walter and Gerald along with nieces, nephews, a host of cousins and friends. He joins his mother, father, beloved daughter Georgiana, brothers, Alfred, Arthur and one sister Elizabeth who predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Myrtle Baptist Church Scholarship Fund 21 Curve Street Newton, MA 02465 or Historic Newton 527 Washington St, Newton MA 02458.