Howard Robert Britney

MERIDEN - Howard Robert Britney, 86, of 129 Ione Drive, died Friday, July 21, 2006, at MidState Medical Center. He was the husband for 61 years to Lois Marie Flanigan Britney. Born in Meriden on Sept 13, 1919, he was the son of the late Howard Wadsworth and Gertrude Deubel Britney. He was a graduate of Meriden High School, Class of 1938. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, after which he was employed as a setup man at New Departure until his retirement in 1975. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting in Maine and fishing on Cape Cod and will be especially missed by his longtime hunting partner, Chip Kaminski and brothers-in-law Nelson and Wesley Flanigan. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Leslie Britney Riordan and Lori Britney Michalak and her husband, Daniel, all of Meriden; a son, Scott Howard Britney of Martha's Vineyard, MA; four grandchildren, Jason Howard Britney and his wife, Heather of Vernon, Ryan Riordan and his wife, Amy of Atlanta GA, Joshua Michalak and Mallorie Michalak, both of Meriden; and a sister, Gertrude Orlando of Southington. Howard had been awaiting the birth of his first two great-grandsons. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his hunting and fishing buddies. He was predeceased by two sisters, Esther Blackburn and Shirley Allison. Howard was a most wonderful man, husband and father and will be greatly missed. A graveside service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Gethsemane Cemetery, Bee St., Meriden. The Rev. Perry L. Beaver will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden.