Albert (Al) Howitt passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 14th. A lifelong resident of Melrose, Al was the only child of the late Alexander and Helen (Cameron) Howitt.

A true entrepreneur and an exceptional mechanic - 'that man can fix anything" was often the remark made when speaking to those who knew him. Al rebuilt his first engine and started driving at age 14.

Al was a veteran of the United States Air Force and after being discharged Al went to work at Hewlett Packard but quickly realized he hated wearing a necktie everyday and missed working on cars.

Al opened "The Bug House "on Franklin Street in Melrose which specialized in selling and repairing used Volkswagen's or "Bugs" as they were known in the late 1960's until he retired in 1990.

Al married the Love of life Lisa in 1979 and the two were inseparable for the next 47 years living, working and laughing together side by side and Al would often refer to them as "Team Howitt". Al's passing will leave a profound void in Lisa's life. Al loved taking care of their home and appreciated all his neighbors and formed a bond of mutual respect with his neighbor across the street, Joe Dalessandro.

Al's happy place was boating in Essex where he and Lisa kept their boat and enjoyed many happy years either spending time on the backside of Cranes beach where they formed a special bond and lasting friendship with Mike and Sue Taylor and enjoyed the company of the rest of the "Cranes Crew" until the day that Al's dream of having a mooring facing Choate Island came true 10 years ago. Al was a lover of all animals, wildlife and nature and especially enjoyed watching the cranes, egrets and cormorants coming and going with the change of the tides, and the natural beauty of Choate Island and the surrounding marsh.

Al's second favorite place was Eagle beach in Aruba where Al and Lisa enjoyed 25 years of happy memories and cherished friendships they made at Costa Linda. Al also enjoyed playing the slot machines at the nearby Alhambra Casino and he rarely lost.

Al's extended family includes Sister-in-laws Sharon Leblanc, (deceased,) Roxanne Dalzell, husband Paul who also spent time with them in Aruba, Susan Dube, Patience Penney, (deceased,) Paula Penney and nieces and Kimberly Angi, deceased, Caitlin (Leblanc) de le Bruere, husband Ryan and their two boys Ben and Caleb, Ryan Leblanc, great nephew's Robert Davey, (deceased), Brian Rowe, his partner Giovanna and their son Levi, and grandnieces Kayla and Hailey Gonzalez.

There is no service planned per Al's request. Donations in Al's name may be made to: The Trustees of the Reservation-Crane Estate, or the MSPCA.