Donald E. Howard of Riverhead died on September 20 at the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 76.
Mr. Howard was a member of the Big Band East and the Gordon Hurley Big Band and had performed with groups such as Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band and the Band of America and in backup bands for Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gormé and many others. Mr. Howard was also the music director of the No Doubt World Famous Monday Night band in Riverhead for 10 years.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Fredonia and his Master of Arts in music from Ithaca College. He also spent three years in the West Point Military Band.
Mr. Howard taught as a junior and senior high school music director, after which he taught jazz history and conducted both the band and jazz band at Suffolk County Community College.
Aside from his musical ambitions, Mr. Howard acted in several plays at Bob Collier Studios in New York City. He also directed high school and community musicals. He had small roles in films such as “Radio Days” and “Wall Street” and on television shows such as on “Law and Order” and “Guiding Light.”
There will be a celebration of Mr. Howard’s life in the lobby of the Patchogue Theater on Main Street in Patchogue on Saturday, September 26, at 11:30 a.m.
The Monday Night Band will perform a concert in honor of Mr. Howard on Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at the Pulaski Street School in Riverhead.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Don Howard Scholarship Fund, care of John Eyre, 33 East 2nd Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 would be appreciated.
on Sep 23, 2009