Obituary of Howard J. Potter

Howard J. Potter, 77, of North Bangor passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake, surrounded by loved ones. Howard was born October 17, 1947 in Gouverneur, the son of Howard and Marion (Merritt) Potter. Howard graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1967 and joined the Air Force. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving from 1967 to 1979. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at Alice Hyde Medical Center from January 24, 1983 to August 20, 1986, before continuing his work life with the United States Postal Service as a clerk at the Plattsburgh Mail Processing Center, retiring in January 2006. He then worked three years at Mountain View 4H Camp. Howard was married to Shirley Mae Downer until she passed on June 29, 1997. On August 11, 2002, he married Debra J. Baldwin. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Malone and was in the worship band under Jeremy Drake and Travis Preve. He was a church trustee for 17 years and helped out with the First Baptist Church food pantry. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 219 in Malone. Howard was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Marion Potter, and his first wife Shirley Mae Downer. Howard is survived by his wife, Debra, a stepson, John Lamica and his companion Michelle Jeror; daughters Monique Rock, Chelsea Burnett. Stepdaughter Laura Masch and her companion Terran and Laminnia and Mike Munson; a stepbrother Hubert Litzenberger Jr., sisters, Norma Barnhart and her husband Donald and Shirley Squadriato and her husband Tony; stepsisters Valerie Haag and her husband Dan, and Bonnie Duffy and her husband Leo; and grandchildren Krisandra Munson and Osten Munson and many more. Calling Hours will take place Monday, April 14, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service, 568 East Main Street, Malone. A funeral Service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Weather permitting, the burial will follow at Morningside Cemetery on Raymond Street, Malone. A reception will follow at the First Baptist Church located at 48 Harrison Place, Malone. Arrangements are in the care of Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.brusofuneralservice.com