Howard Kneen

HOWARD VERE KNEEN (1935-2020)

The weather must have been windy, a little gusty – but surprisingly warm – when Howard Kneen Jr. was born at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario on Oct. 4, 1935. In that sense, it was a precursor to the unforgettable personality of Howard Kneen (“Howie” as his mother called him), the first and only son of Florence Margaret Reddick and Howard Vere Kneen Sr. of Denbury Ave., Ottawa.

Little Howie went on to overcome a pre-teen battle with polio and grew to the astounding height of 6 feet, 7 inches. He was a string-bean of a 16-year-old, who surprisingly never stooped too much, except to scoop up his 3- and 4-year-old sisters, beloved siblings Elizabeth Martin (Mississauga) and Katherine Baxter (Toronto). Howard has remained the adoring older brother to both, as well as close brother-in-law to Robert (Bob) Martin.

From 1948-1954, Howard played basketball and raised a ruckus at Nepean High School, staying in Ottawa with his soft-hearted “Nanny” Reddick when his family was posted to London, England. He later met Cynthia Ann Bradbury (Ottawa) who gave him grace. They married on December 27, 1958 after Howard earned his Electrical Engineering designation at Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto. Howard and Cynthia then moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where Howard worked as a technical representative for Computing Devices Ottawa.

After returning to Canada, Howard directed the marketing efforts for start-up CPI manufacturer Leigh Instruments Ltd. of Carleton Place, working with founders John Shepherd and chief engineer Richard (Dick) Steacie (Ottawa). Dick would become Howard’s dearest, lifelong  friend.

Having logged more than a lifetime of airmiles running his own companies, Howard retired to enjoy more of life with Cynthia, and the three daughters he adored (Leesa Franklin, Heather Starke and Jennifer Cox). Howard was the loving grandfather of Keelan, Kenzie, Nathan, Will and Dylan, with any outing involving a golf range (and DQ), or fishing cruise guided by his caring son-in-law Stephen Cox.

Howard leaves Cynthia after succumbing to his courageous battle with dementia on Sept. 1 at Forest Hill Long Term Care Home, Kanata, Ontario.

Even with COVID restrictions, Cynthia and Heather, and then Leesa and Jenn were able to be there to hold Howard’s hand. They would like to extend their gratitude to  Ruth, Patricia and the Fourth Floor Staff at Forest Hill for the exceptional care Howard received.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa

https://eldercarefoundation.ca/donate-now/