On June 19, 2025 Howard Trombley passed away peacefully with his wife Marcia by his side. Howard was born on August 12,1947 to Harold Trombley and Catherine “Claire” Trombley (nee Boyle) in St. Albans, VT.
Howard was born and raised in St. Albans, VT. where he attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. His junior year at the age of 16, he met the love of his life, who would become his wife, Marcia at a community dance in VT.
Upon graduating high school, he attended Dean Junior College in Franklin, MA. He transferred the next year to Vermont Technical School (at the time known as the Vermont School of Agriculture. Following his year at VTC, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard in the summer of 1967 for which he served proudly until his discharge in 1971. From 1969 to 1971 he was stationed in Hawaii where he served as a Radio Man. The highlight of his time in Honolulu was his marriage to Marcia where they began their married life together. Howard was very proud of his Coast Guard Service and had many stories to share.
After leaving the USCG, he and Marcia moved back to MA where Howard finished at Dean Junior College and then went on to attend the University of Massachusetts (beginning of a lifetime of Maroon & White) where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education. He later attended North Adams State college where he received a master’s degree.
Upon graduation from UMass he and Marcia moved to Great Barrington where they started to raise their family. He worked for a short time at the Kolburne School in New Marlboro. Shortly after, an opening presented itself at Monument Mountain where he was hired and spent his 31 year professional career until his retirement in 2006. Most of his time there was as a Physical Education teacher and then ultimately he became the vice principal.
Howard was also a beloved MMRHS coach of soccer, basketball, and tennis where he bled maroon & white. He loved and took much pride in his students and athletes and was dedicated to their successes. He was not only a coach but a mentor and confidant.
Great Barrington is where he and Marcia would not only raise their three children but also build a life as part of the community. Howard served his community on the GB Volunteer Ambulance Squad in the late 70’s, supported youth athletic programs, and was a longtime member of The First Congregational Church, where he served as a Deacon. In the summers when school was out in his early years in GB he would work at Tanglewood and then later would run the CKT Sports Camp where he could teach / coach sports to young athletes. Whether at MMRHS, Tanglewood, or CKT the people he worked with seemed less like co-workers and more like extended family. Something about Howard just drew people into him.
For a period following retirement he would work with some longtime friends: Don ‘Hag’ Hagberg and the late Ray ‘Shep’ Shepardson painting houses in the summertime. The many laughs and stories they shared were too many to count.
Howard leaves behind his wife, Marcia of almost 56 years, his son Brian, Jessica, Evan and Owen of Lee, MA; daughter Renee Oberlin, Michael Oberlin, Beckett of Alexandria, VA; and son Timothy, Carrie, Jackson, and Victoria of Fairfield, CT. He also leaves behind his brother Shawn Trombley (wife Susan), sister Sandra Chagnon, and his several nephews of St. Albans, VT.
Howard loved his family and the many longtime friends he met along the way. He loved the life he and Marcia built in Great Barrington. He will be dearly and sorely missed by many. He truly was one of the good ones!
The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 26 from 4 to 7:00 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at The First Congregational Church, 251 Main St., Great Barrington. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donating to The Parkinson’s Foundation or to Hospice Care in the Berkshires.
To send remembrances to his family please go to Finnerty & Stevens.
