Robert D. Howell

Robert D. "Pete" Howell, 63, of Hampton, died Monday, July 9, 2012 at Regency Heights in Danielson, CT. He was born August 22, 1948 in Willimantic, CT to George A. and Helen (Knight) Howell. "Pete" as he was known by friends and family, graduated from Windham High Class of 1967. Pete played the cards he was dealt and accepted life as it was presented to him. He loved his friends, family and his pets. For many years, Pete operated his gift shop, "Pete's Whispering Pines" a familiar site along Route 6 in Hampton. He was interested in current and not so current events when it pertained to the people he knew. He was predeceased by brothers John Howell of Boynton Beach, FL , George Howell of Buffalo, N.Y., Herbert Kemp of Abington, CT and Philip Kemp of Hampton, CT. He is survived by his brother Leonard and his wife Susan of Vernon, CT; his sisters Minnie Halbach of Hampton, CT, Harriet Kemp of Brooklyn, CT, Susie Brayman of Norwich, CT and numerous nieces and nephews. Thanks are given to his caregivers at Regency Heights and Nadean Brousseau who went above and beyond caring. There are no calling hours. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday July 12, 2012 at 12:00pm at St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson. Interment will follow in Litchfield Cemetery, Hampton. In honor of Pete's love of animals memorial donations may be made to: Animal Friends of Connecticut, P.O. Box 370306, West Hartford CT 06137-0306. Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .