Howard Nantais

Howard Nantais exemplified the best in a husband, father, and grandfather. He was kind, loving, considerate and always had time for his family. Always happy, never cross, he was the perfect mentor and role model for his children. How blessed they were to call this man “dad”.

The world was in a state of continuing change and progression in the year 1918. The United States was seeking to regain the industrial momentum of the turn of the century. Towering factories and speeding commerce turned small towns into thriving metropolises. Detroit, Michigan was one of these thriving metropolises, and was the setting for a thriving family. Albert and Clara (Grones) Nantais lived in Detroit, raising their two children, Melvin and Donald. On August 30, 1918, they welcomed the birth of their third son, Howard. Howard was part of a large family and spent his childhood surrounded by his two older brothers and younger siblings, Shirley, Thomas, Kathleen and James.

Howard grew up in Detroit and remembered traveling back and forth to Canada with his father on the ferry. This was an almost daily occurrence and Howard had a small boat tied to a string that he would float behind the ferry while his dad played cards with other passengers. As a young man, he worked at a cement company and it was here that he met his future wife, Theresa. They both worked for the same company and dated for the next two years. They were married on September 6, 1941 at St. Alphonsus in Dearborn, honeymooning in Niagara Falls.

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, Howard joined the Army, serving as a Sergeant Squad Leader of 12 to 16 men. He fought in two of the most famous battles, at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars and a Rifleman’s Medal for his bravery. Howard was not only brave, but also lucky, and returned home to his beloved Theresa to begin their life together.

Their union was blessed with three wonderful children – Kathy, Patty and Ed. Together, this family made wonderful memories. His children especially remember their father’s wonderful artwork. Howard painted free hand the walls of the garage and the basement with cartoon characters, mostly from Disney, to the delight of his kids and their friends. Howard always knew if the kids weren’t home at night. In fact, one night when Ed was out very late driving for UPS, Howard came looking for him to make sure he was all right. They took fishing trips to Canada, a tradition that Ed continues today with his children. And the summer drives to Florida where Ed would spend the summer. Patty remembers playing badminton on the front lawn with her dad, or sitting on the front steps sharing the hose, as they gently watered the yard. She and her dad had a favorite memory game that they played with a deck of cards. The goal was to see who could memorize all 52 cards. Patty is forever grateful to her father for her good memory skills! She also remembers her father leaving at a moment’s notice to help out at St. Vincent DePaul’s, knowing that someday she wanted to be able to help others, just as her father did. There were family camping trips and Christmas parties that have continued for over 60 years. Howard loved big family gatherings.

Howard supported his family working for Ford Motor Company in their advertising and marketing division, retiring in 1975 after 30 years. However, retirement did not mean sitting around. For the next several years he worked as a delivery driver and warehouseman for Johnston Paint Company. While living in Dearborn, he also ushered at St Sebastian’s, as well as volunteering there and at St. Vincent DePaul. He was also a member of the VFW and the K of C.

In 1989, Howard and Theresa moved to Three Rivers, nearer their children Ed, who lived in Three Rivers, and Kathy who lived in Grand Rapids. Here, Howard found a new pursuit to keep him busy. From 1989 to 2003 he delivered prescriptions for his son’s pharmacy, Mattawan Pharmacy. He started his day at 5:00 a.m., going to the Village Market, picking up some donuts and a copy of the Free Press and “yakking” with his buddies. He loved this “job”. When not making deliveries, he helped Ed raise all types of farm animals on his property. He built fences and barns to house the animals. He had turned from a city boy into a total hillbilly – and loved every minute of it.

In spite of his busy work schedule, Howard found the time to enjoy himself. He was a good bowler, sporting an average of 220 in the 1960’s, and loved playing poker with the guys from Ford. He liked taking a “little risk” now and then and bought Lotto tickets and played Bingo. When watching television, he enjoyed the Game Show channel, with reruns of The Price is Right, Match Game, and Family Feud. He liked to read the Reader’s Digest, The Detroit Free Press and other local papers to keep up with current events. He had a great sense of humor, as evidenced by the bows on his head every birthday, and was very social. He could carry on a conversation on just about everything. Celebrations often called for a highball or whiskey sour, and he would let his grandkids taste the foam. Nothing was better than having a good time with his family.

Howard Nantais did not waste a moment of his life. He filled it with family, friends and wonderful and lasting memories. With a smile for everyone, he will certainly be remembered and missed.

Howard Nantais, age 86 of Three Rivers, died February 19, 2005 at his home. Learn more about Howard, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, 375-2900 where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday 11:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Food and fellowship will follow the mass at the church hall. Interment with full military honor will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Howard was preceded in death by two brothers: Melvin and Don Nantais and by a sister Kathleen Keleher. Members of Howards’s family include his wife of 63 years, Theresa; three children: Kathy (Bob) Kosminski of Grand Rapids; Patty (Jim) Lawrence of Cedar Key, FL; Ed (Rebecca) Nantais of Three Rivers; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister Shirley Crowley of MS; two brothers: Tom (Marion) Nantais of Tampa, FL; Jim (Pat) Nantais of Detroit and many nieces, and nephews. Please visit Howard’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory, order flowers or make memorial contributions to Comstock VFW Post 6252 or Patient Affairs at VA Hospital.