Earl "Larry" Howell, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, formerly of Ivoryton, died suddenly at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on

Sept. 19. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 11, 1929, son of Lawrence Howell, a Coast Guard career man. He moved to New London as a teenager and then met the love of his life, Genevieve Sweeney of Ivoryton, whom he married in 1949. They lived in Ivoryton for the next 50 years and had three children, Wayne of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Brian of Chester, and Wendy of Manchester, Tennessee. He spent the last few years of his life on a farm outside Nashville, Tennessee, caring for and loving his many animals. Larry loved the outdoors, helping to bring Boy Scouts (Troop 12) back to Essex in the 1960s, and, later in life, enjoyed boating on Long Island Sound. An avid sports fan, he loved his Boston Red Sox and New York Giants. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge No. 1784 for 45 years. Besides his soulmate Genevieve and his three children, he is survived by four grandchildren, Mathew Howell of Bonita Springs, Florida, Joshua Goss of East Haddam, and Brittany and Benjamin Howell of Chester. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson, Jason Howell of Naples, Florida.

A memorial service will be held at a later date upon his return home from Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Deep River Congregational Church, Church St., Deep River, CT 06417. The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.