Harwich, Mass. - Howard M. Diver, 95, of Harwich, Mass., passed away at Pleasant Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brewster, Mass., on Sept. 23, 2008. Mr. Diver was predeceased in 2003 by his wife of 65 years, Faith (Arnold) Diver.

Mr. Diver was born in Middletown, N.Y., on March 12, 1913. He was the son of DeForest and Mary (Wakeman) Diver. Mr. Diver married Faith Arnold in Waltham, Mass., on July 31, 1938, and they made their home in Middletown, N.Y., until moving to Cape Cod on July 31, 1981.

The Divers moved to Cape Cod from New York State in 1981, following Mr. Diver's retirement from the Middletown Savings Bank. Mr. Diver began working at the savings bank as an assistant to the janitor while he was in high school. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance, Mr. Diver worked at the savings bank during vacations and took one year off from college to work full time as a teller to earn enough money to complete his college education, which he did in 3 1/2 years. He graduated from Penn in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in economics and returned to the savings bank, where he held numerous positions, retiring as president of the bank and chairman of the Board of Trustees.

During World War II, Mr. Diver enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman. At the time of his discharge in 1945, he held the rank of lieutenant and was stationed in the Philippines as executive officer of the USS Pentheus.

He was predeceased by his brother, Douglas Diver, and his first cousin, Edward Reville, who lived with the Diver family.

After settling on Cape Cod, Mr. Diver was treasurer of the Eastwind Property Owners' Association for several years and also assisted his wife in her capacity as a member of the Harwich Conservation Commission.

Mr. Diver was an avid gardener who carefully tended his tomato crop with family, friends, and neighbors every summer. He was an excellent ice skater, skier, and swimmer, who swam laps at Harding's Beach in Chatham as recently as the summer of 2007.

Mr. Diver leaves his daughter, Marjorie Diver Fondulas, of Groton; his son, Jeffrey Arnold Diver of Etna, N.Y.; his niece, Shirley Diver Jenson of Catlett, Va.; his nephew, Dr. Robert Reville of Springfield, Vt.; and two grandchildren, Christopher Fondulas and his wife, Jessie (Hoyt) of New York, N.Y., and Nicholas Fondulas of Groton.

Burial will be private.

Contributions in Mr. Diver's memory may be made to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Inc., 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06378; CapeAbilities Inc., 895 Mary Dunn Road, Hyannis, MA 02601; or to the American Red Cross.

For personal guest book, more info or to light a candle log on to www.cbfuneralhome.com.

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