James F. Howard, Sr., age 86, of Hamden, passed away on September 3, 2017. Jim was born in Carbondale, PA on November 29, 1930, the son of the late James & Marie (Carvey) Howard. He was predeceased by his wife in 2014, Alice Connor Howard, and his sisters; Alice Wallis, Marie Maholchic, and Betty Howard. Jim is survived by his sons and daughters in-law, James Howard Jr. & his wife Barbara of Hamden, Patrick Howard of Hamden, and Brian Howard & his wife Manon of Wallingford; his grandchildren, Shawn Howard, Kelly (Noah) Vanacore, Colin Howard, Connor Howard, Cole Howard, Gina (Colby) Tytula, and Christian Burdick; great-grandchildren, Harper Rose Vanacore, Rory Vanacore, & Owen Tytula, and several nieces & nephews. Jim was a retired Postal Carrier, working most of his career from the Dixwell Ave. Post Office in Hamden. After his retirement he continued to work part-time at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home and Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home. He was a former member of the Hamden Knights of Columbus, he always enjoyed an NFL Football Game, and was an avid NY Yankees Baseball fan. He was also a proud U.S. Army Veteran, having served in the Korean War. Friends are invited to attend his funeral on Friday, September 8th at 9:15 AM from BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Whitney Ave., Hamden. Interment will follow in Centerville Cemetery. Friends may also visit with his family at the funeral home on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.