This is the story of a life well lived.  A life so dynamic that it deserves a cabinet full of volumes, detailing everything from his childhood love of running the fields and exploring the woods with his dog "Pooch" to joining his good friend Russ Bengtson for talks with "the Captain" (Morgan).  Not to jump to the end of the narrative before we really get started, but this is an obituary so you're likely guessing how the story ends.  Howard Bynum Lineberry, Jr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 11th, 2023, following a rare bone marrow cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Howard's story started on July 29, 1937, as Howard & Dorilla (Guertin) Lineberry, Sr. welcomed their son and Middletown's newest resident.  He grew up with a love for Middletown and its people, first through his childhood in the Newfield section where he spent countless hours with his Grandparents, Walter and Edith, at their home and later working at his Grandmother's market, Lineberry's, on the corner of Newfield and Westfield streets.  In his teenage years at Woodrow Wilson he earned the title of high school track star and shortly after graduation served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy Submarine Service, where he served from 1955-1957. Up until Howard's final days he still shared stories of his time underwater, including how if he stayed in the Navy instead of heading back home to Connecticut he would not have ended up with the love of his life, Priscilla Jill (McKenna).  His return to civilian life proved that as one chapter ends another quickly begins, as he bumped into his former Junior Prom date on Main Street, Middletown, during a work errand.  Howard was quickly promoted over the next 4 years from fiancé, to husband, to father, to father of 2!  1964 welcomed the beginning of another new chapter, as he was sworn in as a Connecticut State Trooper, stationed in Colchester Troop K (1964-1966) and as the Portland Resident State Trooper (1966-1986). Following his 1986 retirement from the State Police, he "moved across the street" (as he always said) to his next adventure with the Portland Board of Education, where he worked until retirement.

Howard was many things to many people.  Yes, he was represented by all of the accomplishments listed above, but he was so much more. He loved (even as a boy) all things farming, including haying the fields, building his own barn, raising beef cattle, buying and selling vintage tools and farm collectibles, and antique gas & engine shows.  He was a Tobacco Valley Flywheelers club member, a regular at B&S Auctions, and a life-long Middletown resident who could get lost in exploring the old city directories, exploring the details and reminiscing about the old downtown of his youth.  He's remembered as always asking "What's for lunch?" and as a man with a short fuse and a good heart. He had this incredible sense of humor, not blatantly obvious to the casual observer but brought on strong by South Farms Beeler Boys dinners, the movie "Young Frankenstein" and dinner table talk where he attempted to use the quick burning candle closest to his love to determine who was talking the most.  Of all the things that Howard was, we will remember him as a devoted and generous husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who found so much joy in time with family, especially the youngest 5 members of the Lineberry family tree.

And that is the story of Howard Lineberry, Jr. (the abridged version). While June 11th marked the end of Howard's life, it did not mark the end of his story.  He will be treasured and the memory of this wonderful man will live on through those who loved him dearly: his children Howard and Michelle (Terrio) Lineberry, III and Alane (Lineberry) and Tarek Costandi; his grandchildren Rebecca Lineberry and Kevin Galko, Danielle (Lineberry) and Robert Reneson, Victoria (Lineberry) and Marco Almeida, Jacob and Allie (Freeman) Lineberry and Christopher Costandi; his great-grandchildren Hudson, Luis, Carter, Kelsey & Sophie; his siblings Wayne Lineberry and Michele (Lineberry) Bandecchi; his Aunt Grace Lineberry; and many more family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held graveside at Pine Grove Cemetery, 857 S. Main Street, Middletown, on Wednesday, June 28th at 10:00 am. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.