Dr. Carroll W. Howes

AUBURN – Dr. Carroll W. Howes, B.S, M.Ed, Ed.D, 86, a resident of Canton, passed away on June 25, 2021. Dr. Carroll W. Howes was a man of integrity whose motivation was to live up to the values he believed in. These values included devotion to family, public service, military service, and education. Carroll was born in Jay, Maine, on Sept. 8, 1934, to Wilfred Howes and Carrie (Harlow) Howes. Carroll graduated from Jay High School in 1952. He loved sports and was a talented athlete. While in high school, he played baseball, basketball, and football all four years. Carroll was a gifted baseball player; batter left, throw right. He played baseball on the Jay town team at the age of 15, with players in their 20s and 30s. Upon graduation he worked at Bass Shoe Company before enlisting in the United States Air Force during the Korean War from 1953 to 1957. While in the service, he was stationed along the Defense Early Warning System (DEW) in Alaska. He spent one year at a remote radar station in Central Alaska, and the remaining years of his duty at Blaine AFB in Washington. Upon completion of enlistment, he attended the University of Maine in Orono and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. His early career in education included coaching and teaching at Leavitt Institute in Turner, Maine, coaching at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, teaching and principal in Shelton, Washington, and counselor and assistant principal at Shoreline High School in Seattle Washington.

The day of the Lunar landing, July 19, 1969, Carroll and Sandra J. Schneidewind were married in Orange, California. They spent 52 wonderful years together. In 1971, he returned to Maine and accepted a principalship at Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine. He then was offered the Superindency and led S.A.D. 21 for half of its existence, from 1975 to 1997 (22 years). During his tenure, he received his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Vanderbilt University, oversaw the building of a new innovative middle school with solar station as a teaching area, championed multiple upgrades and additions to Canton Elementary and Dixfield Elementary schools, and approved a major addition to the Dirigo High School. In 1996, S.A.D. 21 honored his service to the community by dedicating the new Dirigo High School wing in his name. He loved S.A.D. 21 staff and supporting staff and the citizens of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, and Peru. They were always supportive and there was never a budget failure in his 22 years. He gave 100% to the educational well-being of all the students. Dr. Howes was a member of the National Education Association as well as Maine School Management Association and numerous state agencies. He started the first school district newsletter that was sent to all citizens. He provided real estate agencies with updated information on the school district to encourage families to settle in S.A.D. 21, which was viewed as one of the outstanding school districts in the state.

In retirement, Carroll and his wife Sandra spent 16 wonderful winters in Cocoa Beach, Florida enjoying golfing, walks on the beach, and cruising. During the summer, they returned to Lake Annasagunticook, in Canton, Maine where he enjoyed antiquing with Sandra, landscaping, and gardening. In later retirement, Carroll and Sandra moved back to Maine full time to be closer to family and friends.

Carroll is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Sandra Howes of Canton, Maine, and their two children, his daughter, Shelley Gresham and her husband Ian from Boston, Massachusetts, and his son, Jeffrey Howes, and his wife Becca from Falmouth, Maine and their children Zoe, Omri, and Isaac. He is also survived by his three daughters from an earlier marriage, Kathi Salser and her husband Steve from Canfield, Ohio, and their children Amber and Linden, Vicki Grillo and her husband John from Knoxville, Tennessee and their children Michael and Lauren, and Sally Beck and her husband Mark from Canfield, Ohio, and their children Drew, Tyler, and Cameron. Dr. Howes was predeceased in death by his father Wilfred, mother Carrie, infant brother Robert, sister Gloria Luciano, sister Madeline Barnes, and brother Rodney Howes.

Carroll was a dedicated friend, father, and husband. He will forever be in our hearts.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com

A service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine.