Obituary of Howard Staff

Staff, Howard Victor - Dec 18, 1942 - June 27, 2014 It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the sudden passing of Howard Victor Staff in his 72nd year. Howard was the loving, endearing husband of Wendy (Burrows) for 49 years, proud father of Sue-Ann Elizabeth and Howard Andrew (Drew), adoring father-in-law of Dana Staff, caring grandfather to Howard Connor and Caitlin Olivia. He is predeceased by his parents Howard Lavelle (2009) and Lula M (2010). Also survived by brothers, nieces and nephews. Howard was most content on the farm where he was born, worked and passed. Howard was a leader and contributor to agriculture and the community. Amongst other postings in agriculture, he served as President of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Vineland Growers Co-Operative; Chairman of the Board for the Lincoln Committee of Adjustment; one of the longest serving Board of Directors and Committee Members of the Grape Growers of Ontario; Vice-President of A.C.C. Farmers Financial; Commissioner of the Niagara Escarpment Commission; Member of the Agricultural Adaptation Council; Board of Directors Welch's U.S.A.; Founding Committee and Major Contributor of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University. His dedication to community saw him volunteer with Lincoln District Firefighter Station #4 (Jordan); member of the St.Catharines & District Shrine Club; chair the Beamsville District Secondary School 125th Anniversary; and chair the Jordan Historical Museum. Howard's efforts did not go unnoticed by the public at large as he was awarded the Paul Harris Award by the Rotary Club of St.Catharines South for outstanding lifetime contribution to community; Lifetime Achievement Award by the Niagara North Federation of Agriculture for exemplary contribution to the agriculture community; Royal Order of the Grape and 1996 Grape King awarded by the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival; 25 Year Service Award by the Province of Ontario for outstanding efforts in volunteering; and Awards of Merit from the Grape Growers of Ontario for over 50 years of grape farming, Green Ribbon Taskforce Region of Niagara Police, and Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association for outstanding commitment to horticulture in Ontario. Howard was most happy behind the wheel of anything - a plane, a boat, an excavator, a combine, etc. Not only was he innovative designing his own equipment, he recognized the advances in technology piloting the first mechanical grape harvester in Canada. He, with his wife, enjoyed travelling along many 2 lane roads throughout North America plus travelled internationally with great affection for Australia. Our sincerest gratitude and a special thank-you to the Lincoln Fire Rescue Station 4, Niagara EMS, NRP, and the staff at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. The family will receive friends at the TALLMAN FUNERAL HOME, 3277 King St., Vineland on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 2-4pm and 6:30-8:30pm. Funeral will be held at St.John's Anglican Church, Jordan ON July 2, 2014 at 11am. Interment to immediately follow. A celebration of Howard's life will be hosted at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery/H.A. Staff Limited, Jordan ON July 2, 2014 at 1:30pm. Remembrances in Howard's memory should be directed to the Niagara Community Foundation "Howard V. Staff Memorial Fund".