- Date Of Birth: October 14, 1928
- Date Of Death: January 25, 2017
- State: Maryland
Harold W. “Howie” Parker Jr., RADM USCG (Ret), passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at the age of 88 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years – Alice D. Parker (nee’ Mahoney) of Staten Island, NY and six of his seven children, Steven, Alison, Michelle, Harold III, Jacqueline and John “Chris” Christian. His eldest daughter, Claudia, predeceased him in 2012. He is also survived by his only sibling, sister, Marilyn Zanetti of Albuquerque NM; ten grandchildren; Ashley, Elizabeth, Gregory, Tim, Meghan, Nicole, Leslie Ann, Christopher, Michael, John and the late David Beard; six great grandchildren; Landon, Stella, Brody, Marie Alice, Brynlee and Parker, with 3 more on the way.
Howie, as he was best known, was born on October 14, 1928 in Juneau AK to LCDR Harold Sr., USCG (Ret) and Nona F. Parker. He entered the US Coast Guard Academy (USCG) in 1946 after graduating from Balboa High School, San Francisco CA. As member of the Class of 1950, he developed many fond memories and lifelong friendships. An avid sports fan, he played football and took up boxing in college where he proved a quick and formidable opponent in the ring. Throughout his illustrious 40-year career, Howie served in many capacities from junior Ensign to Commanding Officer of two USCG Cutters and two USCG Districts. His duty stations included tours in Boston MA, Iwo Jima, New York, Norfolk VA, St. Louis MO, Long Beach CA, San Juan PR, Washington DC, and Seattle WA. A Vietnam veteran, Howie served as Commanding Officer (CO) USCGC Pontchartrain; supporting among other American forces, the US Navy Seals.
A highlight of his career involved the fateful collision of the Italian Liner SS Andrea Doria and the Swedish Liner SS Stockholm on July 25, 1956. Just a young Lieutenant at the time, Howie served as Rescue Coordinator, for what was recognized in Alvin Moscow’s book, “Collision Course”, as the greatest sea rescue operation ever conducted during peacetime – over 1600 lives were saved! For his exemplary actions, he was awarded the Order of Merit from the Italian government and his 15 minutes of fame, as a secret guest on the then-hit TV show “I’ve Got a Secret”.
Post retirement from the USCG, Howie served 5 years as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for the State of Washington. There he directed the operations of the world’s largest ferry system; sending Washington State ferries to assist the 1989 Loma Prieta, San Francisco Bay Area earthquake rescue efforts.
In 1991, Howie and Alice returned to Potomac MD to be nearer to family.
