Howard Clifford Soule

Howard C. Soule, 88, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20th at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. Howard was born in Sanford on March 19, 1936, to Frank and Helen (Seavey) Soule. He grew up in Sanford and attended local Catholic schools, graduating from Sanford High School in 1955. After high school, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving for four years. Upon completing his enlistment, he returned to Sanford and began his career at Tennford Weaving before joining Sprague Electric. Howard dedicated 40 years to Sprague, working his way up to General Foreman before his retirement. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Howard was a talented athlete during his school years. He loved watching college sports and was a fervent Notre Dame fan. Howard also enjoyed cheering on the Montreal Canadiens, the Dodgers, and the Chicago Bears. He shared his passion for sports with his children and spent many years coaching Little League, leading the Mailhot Jets to a state title. Howard was a handy person, enjoying the challenge of taking things apart, repairing them, and putting them back together. He was a hardworking man who took pride in providing for his family, always putting them first. After retiring, Howard continued to stay busy, working part-time at the Newton Center in Sanford and Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale. A devout Catholic, he was a communicant of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. Howard was known for his kindhearted and easygoing nature, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Howard is survived by his loving wife, Bette Soule of Sanford; seven children, Janet Louise Soule of South Carolina, Michael Howard Soule of South Portland, Jeffrey Soule of Sanford, Thomas Soule of Washington, D.C., Mark Petrin and his wife Janice of Springhill, Florida, Sharon LaRoche and her husband Francis of Epping, New Hampshire, and Lynn Legere and her husband Ernie of Sanford; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his half-sister, Marjorie Janella Seavey; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday July 3 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Stanley Road in Springvale. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.