Howard Ellsworth Bailey

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Howard Bailey was a humble man who carried himself with honor, integrity, and unwavering courage. He was guided by his personal faith in everything he did, and his zest for life was contagious to all who were near. A devoted husband and father, Howard’s true joy was found in his family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were his greatest source of pride and joy. He was never one to spend his time worrying about what he had, rather, Howard spent his time focusing on living life to the fullest in each and every moment that he was given. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Howard created a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow him.

It seems only fitting that Howard’s story began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the Roaring Twenties when jazz music, the Charleston, and motion pictures in both color and sound decorated the cultural fabric of our nation. This was also the time that legends like Baby Ruth and Ty Cobb breathed new life into the sport of baseball, drawing amazing crowds to baseball fields all across our nation. Amidst this exciting time Albert E. and Edith M. (Herman) Bailey were pleased to announce the birth of their son, Howard Ellsworth on February 4, 1925, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He was one of 15 children in his family, two siblings died in infancy and he was raised alongside his five brothers, Ernie, Jake, Robert, Roger, and George, and seven sisters, Virginia, Nancy, Bernice, Connie, Shirley, Phyllis, and Cecelia. In many ways Howard experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation.

Despite being an accomplished athlete with dreams of playing big league baseball, Howard set these aspirations aside and proudly entered the United States Navy during the days of WWII in the early forties. He underwent training at Great Lakes Training Center and went to the Gulf of Mexico for more training. From there Howard was sent to New York and was assigned to a troop ship headed for Scotland, England, and France awaiting D-Day. His ship headed South to join a convoy bound for Europe and the Mediterranean with 125 ships including one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, 15 destroyers, and a convoy of additional ships. The convoy traveled to Bizerte, North Africa where they unloaded the troops. The MPs remained aboard ship and went on to Italy where American troops were being sent into Naples, Italy. Like pages torn from a history book, Howard witnessed German planes lighting up the sky with bombs that hit his ship with four bombs. Howard spent about an hour in the water before being picked up by a life boat. He and his fellow seamen stayed with the Army until starting for home to recuperate with a survivor’s leave of 30 days. Howard then got on a ship to New York to continue on to the Pacific and to the Panama Canal. They went to Hawaii, then to the Philippines, and then to Okinawa where Howard met his brother who was in the Marines. Three Japanese planes were shot down above Howard’s ship. Eventually, their ship pulled in to San Francisco, where all of his pains went away when Howard went ashore. While headed back home, the atomic bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. In recognition of his service, Howard was awarded with the European Theater Ribbon, the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

After being discharged in 1946, Howard began playing professional baseball for Pittsburgh farm clubs. As a pitcher for the Monaca Legion team, he started with the Leesburg Pirates of the Class D Florida State League and was later assigned to the Daytona Beach Islanders. During the off season Howard was employed with St. Joe Lead, Potter Township where he worked his way up the ladder, retiring as a foreman. In total he played minor league baseball for two years.

Life was forever changed for Howard when he met the woman with whom he would share the best years of his life. Her name was Helen P. Shively, and after dating for a time the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Howard and Helen were married on December 18, 1947. Together they welcomed three children into their hearts and home: Howard, Kathy, and Linda. Howard and Helen were a great pair who enjoyed spending time together. For quite some time they took dancing lessons at Al Martin's School of Dance, a division of Arthur Murray Studios. He was deeply saddened with his wife’s death on August 9, 2007.

A longtime resident of his community, Howard was involved in his hometown in many ways through the years. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Monaca-Center Lodge #791 F&AM, Monaca Turners, and a life member of American Legion Post #580, Monaca. In addition, Howard had a lifelong love for the game of baseball and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although he was a truly gifted baseball player, he also enjoyed playing horseshoes, watching football, and bowling.

Described as an amazing man, Howard Bailey was such a blessing to those around him. He honorably served his country during a time of great need, and wholeheartedly gave everything his all. A devoted family man and loyal friend, Howard will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Howard Ellsworth Bailey, of Monaca, died on Monday, April 14, 2014. Howard’s family includes his son, Howard Ernest (Cathy) Bailey, of Shallotte, N.C.; two daughters, Kathy (Nick) Curilovic, of Potter Twp., and Linda (Timothy) Lantzy, of New Brighton; six grandchildren, Todd Caldwell of California, Ryan David Caldwell of Hickory, NC, Josh Curilovic of Potter Twp., Trisha (Ryan) Kent of Ontario, Canada, Leah (Matt) Paulson of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Jennifer (Josh) Camerot of Ross Twp.; four great-grandchildren, Chase Curilovic, Dylan Paulson, and Lilah and Alexander Camerot; brother, George Bailey of Beaver; two sisters, Phyllis Pander of New Brighton and Cecelia McDaniel of Beaver; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Howard was preceded in death by four brothers, Ernie, Jake, Robert, and Roger and five sisters, Virginia Anderson, Nancy Bonzo, Bernice Bailey, Connie Bowman, and Shirley Williams. Friends will be received Wednesday, April 16th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17th at 10 a.m. His pastor, Rev. A. Patrice Weirick, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Center Township, will officiate. Entombment will follow in Sylvania Hills Mausoleum. Military honors will be provided by the Beaver County Special Unit at 10:45 a.m. at the cemetery. To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.