Howard Dale Buchanan

Howard Dale Buchanan Jr passed away on June 11, 2021 at Newtown Health & Rehabilitation Center after losing his battle with Kidney cancer. He was born on December 16, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio and preceded in death by his mother, Martha Ann Buchanan and his father Howard Dale Buchanan.

Though he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio Howard grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with his mother Martha.  He used to share fond memories from his childhood of seeing airplanes fly over their home. It was these memories that inspired him to reach for the sky and gave him the dream of working for Delta Airlines. By the time he was 19, Howard had joined the United States Air Force and became a mechanic working on jet engines.  He bravely served our nation for four years. 

After leaving the military he was able to achieve his childhood dream of working for Delta Airlines, serving as a jet mechanic. He worked in the aviation industry for thirty-four years. On the side, he thoroughly enjoyed working on cars as a hobby and helped restore Atlanta Braves manager, Bobby Cox’s 1970s Volkswagen Beetle. Howard was a master mechanic and he even had a brief period of owning his own automotive mechanic shop. His experience spans from Pratt and Whitney, to EASW, EJM/NetJets, Rolls Royce, and Clay Lacey. Through these experiences, his colleagues saw his love for the industry and knew him for being a great guy... and a generous friend.  In addition to aviation, Howard had a passion for motorcycles. This passing lead him into dirt bike racing for a time, before he moved north.

Howard had a way of making people feel comfortable in his presence and was always ready to share a smile. Howard had a loving spirit and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Howard is survived by his loving partner Marlene M. Marinaccio of Danbury, CT, Howard’s children Matthew Dale Clause Buchanan of Detroit, MI, Kelly Nancy Clara Buchanan of Fayetteville, WV and step-son Jason Brantley Stokes of Bridgeport, WV, as well as Marlene’s sons Nick and Anthony Marinaccio.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at Danbury Memorial Funeral Home (117 South St. Danbury, CT 06810) on Thursday June 17, 2021 from 5pm – 7pm. A service for military honors will be held at 6:45pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to Howard’s Go Fund Me (https://gofund.me/b74422db) to help with his final medical and funeral expenses. 

To light a candle in his memory or leave a condolence, please visit the Tribute Wall at the top of his obituary page.