Obituary of Howard Sweeney

Howard J. Sweeney, 85, died on December 26, 2010, in Chelsea MA. Born in Somerville and raised in Burlington, He was the son of the late Maurice and Florence (Hickman) Sweeney and the stepson of the late Mary (Ford) Sweeney. As a young man growing up in the Winnmere section of Burlington, Mr. Sweeney worked on Crawford Farm and Pollack Farm. Howard was very proud of his Irish Catholic Heritage and his loyalty to God and Country. As a devout catholic, he always held God above all else. While he was a teenager Howard studied at Maryknoll Junior Seminary School in Pennsylvania. He also attended St. Charles grammar school and Burlington High School. With his country at war, Mr. Sweeney left high school early to enlist in the United States Marine Corps on April 13, 1942, just four days after his 17th birthday. A combat veteran of World War II, Mr. Sweeney spent 18 months overseas in the Pacific Theater, serving as a Rifleman with Company F, Third Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division. He participated in the invasion of Bougainville and the consolidation of the Northern Solomon Islands. During the Bougainville campaign, Mr. Sweeney’s platoon was given the task of capturing an important piece of high ground that later became known as Cibik’s Ridge, after the platoon’s leader Lt. Cibik. Cut off from the rest of their Regiment, the platoon held the ridge under heavy enemy fire and constant bombardment from Navy ships for four days before being relieved. The occupation of Cibik’s Ridge was vital to the success of the entire Bougainville campaign. For his actions during this siege, Mr. Sweeney was awarded a letter of commendation and meritoriously promoted for his “Outstanding performance of duty in the field of battle”. Upon his honorable discharge as a Sergeant from the Marine Corps in 1946, Howard further served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. He served as a medical corpsman stationed at the Chelsea Naval Hospital and was honorably discharged with the rank of PHM3. Howard enjoyed living in the city and being close to the ocean. After he completed his service to his country, Howard lived in the New York City and Long Island areas of New York. While in the New York area he worked for Brooks Brothers Clothier and was a member of the Retail Clothing Salesmen's Union, Local 340 ACWA. He also worked as a chef at many of the areas finer restaurants. Upon moving back to New England, Howard continued working for Brooks Brothers before changing professions to become a security officer. He then worked in the security field as a Sergeant until his retirement in 1990. During his retirement, Howard was a collector of almost everything, but everything he collected had a story. He was long time communicant and volunteer of St. Gabriel Church, Brighton and a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Sweeney is survived by his sister, Margaret Bowles of Billerica; a brother, Gerard and his wife Ruth of Woburn. Uncle Howard was further survived by several generations of nieces and nephews whom he never failed to include in his daily prayers. In addition to his parents, preceding him in death were three brothers, Leo, Francis and James Sweeney; two sisters, Loretta Enos and Eveleen Sweeney; two brother's in-law, Lester Enos and Herbert Bowles and a sister in-law, Marie Sweeney. A visiting hour will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Dec. 31 from 10 – 11 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private. Donations in Howard's memory may be made to Catholic Charities,51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210