George A. Howarth of Doylestown died peacefully on Tuesday March 15th, 2011, surrounded by his family and holding the hand of his loving and devoted wife of 69 years. He was 98.

Born in Chorley, Lancashire County, England, he was the son of the late Arnold and Annie Bowlker Howarth. He immigrated to Philadelphia with his family, in January of 1930, where he remained a resident until 1999.

He was a veteran of the US Army during World War II and was among the convoys to land in North Africa, November 1942, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. He continued with campaigns in Sicily and Sardinia until his return to the States in the Spring of 1945.

After a short interval at the Frankford Arsenal, he retired from the Military and became an entrepreneur, owning and operating an imported food store with his wife, at Front and Allegheny. After 27 years of operation, they sold their business to pursue his lifetime passion of metal working and machine design. For the next 30 years he was employed at Hydra-Matic Inc. in Huntingdon Valley, working part-time until he was age 93.

He loved traveling, and throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s enjoyed extended road-trips through the American southwest, collecting rocks and fossils, and visiting the various National Parks. In the following years, he and his wife enjoyed the Gulf Coast of Florida, especially Anna Marie Island. Besides his interest in metal working, he dappled in custom knife making, was an accomplished woodworker and lapidary artisan.

In addition to his wife Dorothy, George is survived by his children, Lawrence Howarth and his wife Virginia of Doylestown, and George Howarth and his wife Susan of New Mexico. He is also survived by his three loving grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Jamison PA on Tuesday March 22nd at 11:00 AM, with an hour of observance prior to the service. Private Interment with military honors will be conducted at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Howarth’s memory may be made to the Doylestown Medical Associates, Suite 2 South, 301 South Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.