Howard R. Willis

Howard R. Willis, 89, of Danbury, husband of Barbara (Brush) Willis, died peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Howard was born in Danbury and graduated from Henry Abbott Technical School. After Abbott Tech, he went on to work at the Rider Dairy where he met his wife, Barbara who also worked there at the time. After Howard and Barbara married in 1957 and started their family, Howard decided to establish his own company, Berkshire Refrigeration Service, in 1962 when his original goal was to have 200 customers. He long surpassed that goal and the company is known today as the industry standard with customers throughout Connecticut and New York.

Howard also founded the Ice House of Danbury and the Ice House Hobby Shop of Danbury, both located on Federal Road in Danbury where he enjoyed servicing his countless customers for many years. Both businesses were highly regarded and well known within the greater Danbury area for their charitable contributions to the local community through, among other things, ice caps for cancer patients as well as donations to numerous other charities and organizations.

Howard and Barbara, who just recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary,  had four sons and thoroughly enjoyed raising them in Danbury. For many years they vacationed in their various motorhomes often with their large groups of friends who also had motorhomes. Howard and Barbara were original members of the Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA), of which they were lifetime members and they were honored to see the organization grow to over 500,000 members. Howard was instrumental in developing the guidelines for membership and regional chapter guidelines as well as organizing countless regional “bus meets” where friends and family members gathered to enjoy good company, delicious food and fun times for all.

Howard was a former Danbury constable and was also a well-respected basketball coach for the Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Danbury where he brought the team from a 0-14 record to a 14-0 record in a three-year period. He genuinely believed in the youth of Danbury, and he was applauded for implementing a team rule of wearing dress shirts and ties to all team games that later became the standard of the league.

In his retirement years, Howard, who was a long time Volkswagen enthusiast, enjoyed attending many car shows with his various vehicles and usually won best in show. He will also be dearly remembered by his numerous friends and neighbors in Mount Olive Shores, Polk City, Florida where the large get-togethers and parties will long be remembered. Affectionately known as “Howie” by his closest friends he made certain that there was always an enjoyable time for all. He will always be remembered for his detailed planning and conducting even the largest group events.

Howard is survived by his loving wife Barbara, his four sons, Bob (Brenda), Ken, Jim and John (Karen). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jordan (Paul) Carter and Hunter (Sarah) Willis as well as his great grandchildren, Mason, Paul IV and Annabelle Carter.

Friends may call on what would have been Howard’s 90th birthday, January 13, 2026 at Jowdy Kane Funeral home, 9-11 Granville Ave, Danbury, CT from 4pm to 6:30pm with a brief memorial service held at 6:00 pm. Donations in Howard’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

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