Lello, Howard L., 93, of Limestone and Presque Isle, in Presque Isle, on April 2, 2012. Interment with full military honors will take place May 7, at 11 a.m. in the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Arrangements are in the care of Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
LIMESTONE & PRESQUE ISLE – Howard L. Lello, 93, husband of Mrs. Zeta (Donnelly) Lello, passed away Monday evening, April 2, 2012, at a Presque Isle healthcare facility, after an extended period of declining health. He was born December 26, 1918, in Calais, the son of Henry W. and Muriel (Maybee) Lello. He was a graduate of the Aroostook Central Academy, Class of 1936, and went on to further his education at the Bridgeton Academy, and the former Aroostook School of Commerce.
Howard served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War, and was a resident of Limestone from 1948 until moving to Presque Isle in 2009, with fifty-five years of Limestone Community service under his belt. He had organized little league teams for Limestone and Caswell and coached for twenty-one years.
In 1970, Howard presented the first Pet Thornton Award to the outstanding athlete at Limestone High School. This award is presented annually at the Spring Sports Banquet, and is now referred to as the Pet Thornton – Howard Lello Award. He was a longtime track official at Aroostook County meets and an annual award is given in his name at the Aroostook League Championship Meet.
Howard served on the Limestone School Committee for thirteen years, four years as chairman, was a former member of the St. Louis Catholic Church Council parish hospitality committee, was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, and was director of the Association for Youth Services, a group dedicated to sponsoring underprivileged children to summer camp.
Howard worked for thirty-six years as a postal employee, serving as superintendent of mail at the Limestone Post Office and the former Loring Air Force Base postal facility.
He was a third degree member of the Limestone Knights of Columbus Council Number 2851, a member of the former O’Bar-Phair Post of the American Legion, Limestone, past president and charter member of the Limestone Lions Club, past president and member of the Limestone Rotary Club, where he was presented the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, a former member and director of the Limestone Chamber of Commerce, was named the Outstanding Limestone Citizen of the Year in 1965, and was a communicant of the Parish of the Precious Blood, attending both the St. Louis Catholic Church, Limestone and St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield.
In addition to his parents, Howard was predeceased by two sisters, Marjorie Lello Thomas and her husband, Francis, Maida Lello Grass and her husband, Clifford; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Donnelly Doughty and her husband, Wendell, Patricia Donnelly Legare and her husband, Jerry.
He is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Zeta M. Donnelly Lello of Presque Isle; two sisters-in-law, Naomi Donnelly Downing and her husband, John and family of Presque Isle, Joyce M. Banks and family, of South Windsor, CT; several nieces and nephews.
Friends called Monday, April 9, 2012, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service was conducted at 7:30 p.m. by the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie celebrant. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held after the Mass at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Council Number 1753, 260 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Interment with full military honors will take place Monday, May 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. Lello to the Limestone Community School Athletic Department, 93 High St., Limestone, 04750, attention: Leland Caron. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church.
