1921
Howard
2014
Howard J. Besnia
January 24, 1921 — September 13, 2014
STERLING - Howard John Besnia passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014, at the age of 93 years young. He lived most of his adult life at the hilltop home/studio that he built in Sterling in the early 1950's, his "Skycrest".
He is survived by three sons, David and his wife, Deanne of Leominster,
Kenneth and his wife, Deborah of Santa Rosa, CA and Mark and his wife, Mary-Ann of
Franklin; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, E. Shirley (Dalgliesh) and his daughter, Linda Turcotte, formerly of Leominster.
Howard was born on January 24, 1921, in Worcester, the son of Howard H. and Mary (Ciborowski) Besnia. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving with Headquarters 2502nd Service Command Unit in Maryland. While in the service, he met Shirley, the love of his life, and they were married in 1945. Following his service to his country, Howard returned to school earning a Bachelor's Degree from Clark University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Yale University.
Howard's lifelong passion was art. Among his many talents, he was a caricaturist, portrait painter, sculptor, photographer, graphic artist and bookmaker. He designed and published five fine art books in 6 years, one of which was an award winner at the New England Book Show. He even sketched the stars from his own observatory.
He taught art for over 60 years, beginning at Auburn High School and ending with decades of service at Fitchburg State College. Upon his retirement, he continued to teach classes from his home studio up to the final year of his life.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ashraf Elkerm and the staff at Life Care
Center of Leominster for the compassionate care they provided to "The Professor" in the final months of his life.
Calling hours are on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, from 4 - 7 pm at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sterling Senior Center, 1 Park Street, Sterling, MA 01564.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit our "guest book" on this page.
He is survived by three sons, David and his wife, Deanne of Leominster,
Kenneth and his wife, Deborah of Santa Rosa, CA and Mark and his wife, Mary-Ann of
Franklin; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, E. Shirley (Dalgliesh) and his daughter, Linda Turcotte, formerly of Leominster.
Howard was born on January 24, 1921, in Worcester, the son of Howard H. and Mary (Ciborowski) Besnia. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving with Headquarters 2502nd Service Command Unit in Maryland. While in the service, he met Shirley, the love of his life, and they were married in 1945. Following his service to his country, Howard returned to school earning a Bachelor's Degree from Clark University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Yale University.
Howard's lifelong passion was art. Among his many talents, he was a caricaturist, portrait painter, sculptor, photographer, graphic artist and bookmaker. He designed and published five fine art books in 6 years, one of which was an award winner at the New England Book Show. He even sketched the stars from his own observatory.
He taught art for over 60 years, beginning at Auburn High School and ending with decades of service at Fitchburg State College. Upon his retirement, he continued to teach classes from his home studio up to the final year of his life.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ashraf Elkerm and the staff at Life Care
Center of Leominster for the compassionate care they provided to "The Professor" in the final months of his life.
Calling hours are on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, from 4 - 7 pm at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sterling Senior Center, 1 Park Street, Sterling, MA 01564.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit our "guest book" on this page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard J. Besnia, please visit our flower store.
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