Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Chauncey D. Howell

September 20, 2021

Chauncey Delphin Howell passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021 after a long illness at the age of 86, in Easton Pennsylvania.

Chauncey was born on July 15,1935 in Easton Pennsylvania to Kathryn Shirer and Chauncey Delphin Howell. He was their first child. Chauncey attended Easton Public Schools and graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Classics. After college, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson and Fort Gordon. He started his career in journalism at Women’s Wear Daily in 1959, where he was a theater, movie and restaurant critic. He also wrote pieces for The New York Times and Playboy. He wrote fondly and humorously about the New York scene and that led to his becoming a reporter for TV : WABC-TV, WNBC and NewYork1, covering events throughout Manhattan and the Boroughs. He had a flair for bringing out the best in people in a light-hearted affectionate way. Every day at 5:00 pm on TV in the New York area, he reported on events and people from Manhattan and the Boroughs engaging the hidden talents of bystanders. Before his pieces aired, Chauncey loved editing them adding music and interjections. For all his hard work on TV, Chauncey earned five Emmys.

Later in his career he worked on radio and TV on Long Island. He retired to his beloved home town of Easton PA where he continued writing and performing in video sketches of neighbors and friends. He also studied acting and voice. Throughout his life, he loved reading and collecting books. He treasured opera and vocal music from the past. He also studied languages and dialects including how to schmooze in Yiddish and Italian. He also loved traveling to Europe with his mother, Kathryn and sister, Sally. He was a generous caregiver to his mother on weekends and holidays, treating her to fancy restaurants and fun social gatherings.

He is predeceased by his parents Chauncey and Kathryn (Shirer) Howell, his brother-in-law Jack Gundy and nephew, Benjamin Gundy. He is survived by his sister Sally (Howell) Gundy and brother, Charles David Howell and sister-in-law, Reta L. Wells-Howell. He is also survived by his nephew Charles Gundy, and nieces, Jennifer Gundy, Caryn Pelegrino and Joanna (Josie) Gundy. His great nephews: Charles Rustau Gundy, Johannes Gundy, and Leo Pelegrino, and his great-niece Anna Pelegrino.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Forks Cemetery, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown. A visitation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to Ascend Hospice, 1120 Welsh Rd., Suite 220, North Wales, PA 18454. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

34 condolences. Notify me of additional condolences.

  1. Colette

    September 23, 2021 at 9:45 am

    My dearest sympathies- thank you for sharing your light with us, Chauncey.

  2. Ilene Hochberg Wood

    September 23, 2021 at 10:04 am

    I am sad to learn of the passing of my dear friend Chauncey. I send condolences to all his family and loved ones. We first met when he interviewed me for a television news story, and we soon discovered that we both lived in “the Village” and weekended in the same area of Pennsylvania. Chauncey sat next to my late husband Irwin on a Transbridge Bus from NYC to Easton, and from that day, the three of us were fast friends. We shared so many experiences and stories. I will remember ‘“Nanook of the ‘Nabes”, as he was called on TV, and the recollection of him asking Barbara Walters (“Baba Wawa”) what flower she would be, with great fondness. Thank you for the fun times and exceptional experiences. You will live on in my heart and memories.

  3. Stephen S. Constantine

    September 23, 2021 at 10:06 am

    Rest in Peace to an Easton legend. He lived around the corner from my parents house, known him since I was a young kid, and will miss him forever. Used to watch him on WABC Channel 7 News for years, on weekdays, and chat with him on weekends while he was doing yard work around his house on Spring Garden Street. One time a friend of mine, Mikey “Do Do” Karam, who was living in NYC, was on a bus to Easton, met him on the bus, couldn’t believe Chauncey Howell was from Easton and knew a great many Lebanese people, including Mike’s parents!! 😂 He loved my parents, they knew HIS parents, and we loved him dearly. What a good man, he was. Rest in Eternal Peace, my friend. I’m going to miss you, Chauncey Howell . 😞🙏

  4. Larry and Ginni Truglio

    September 23, 2021 at 10:18 am

    Chauncey was a true original! He made our time in Easton very interesting, to say the least. We feel honored to have called him our friend. Godspeed Chauncey. I am sure you are entertaining the angels in Heaven.

  5. Kitty Kovacs

    September 23, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    The world seems a little dimmer without Chauncey. His funny stories and songs were amazing. His passion for languages, the arts, and people were inspiring. My condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. I will treasure our time that was filled with laughter and jovial merriment. May your name be eternal💐

    Always,
    Kitty

  6. Melissa Hartranft

    September 23, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    Dear Uncle Chauncey – I am so very sad to hear this news. I was stopping by to see you on Friday after work and now I missed that opportunity. One that unfortunately I can never make up. I will miss your charming personality and amazing wit. So many memories of you when I was a child and then as an adult roaming around NYC and going to plays, dinner and other fun things. You will be missed so! Condolences to the entire family.

  7. Shelley Russack

    September 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    Rest In Peace Chauncey. Will miss your entertaining stories. You were a treasured personality in Easton.

  8. Ellis & Phyllis Finger

    September 23, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    We have such fond memories of Chauncey, as do our family members who were fortunate enough to spend a Christmas Eve with him in our home several years ago. Every time we see Betsy or Julia or William or Rich, they ask how Chauncey is, as he entertained them like no one else. He was a real character, and we will miss him so! He had great stories and we loved hearing him sing his opera pieces. May good memories begin to heal the hearts of all those who knew and adored Chauncey.

  9. Linda Cerny

    September 23, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    Sending condolences from the Virgin Islands I loved his reports when I lived in NYC

  10. Ray Elguezabal

    September 23, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Hey Chauncy- Thought we had a deal. If we finished the story early it was pancakes at Ihop. Must have slipped your mind. It’s OK. I’ll get a take out order and you can tell me about that opera… and the Visigoths… and Easton… and the Latin names of those flowers… and your voice lessons… and your boxing…..

  11. Sloan Farrell

    September 23, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Chauncey was one of a kind and I am sure many, many people will say the same. True to Easton in every way. Very, very good friends to my parents and to me when I got to older.

    Having lived in the NYC area for several years, he was really famous. Many knew Chauncey from the news and his man on the street interviews. They loved him too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JvXVAioBa0 and https://www.youtube.com/user/MrChaunceyHowell/videos

    Rest easy Chauncey. We all love you.

  12. Eileen Quesenberry

    September 23, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    Just loved watching you growing up on WABC. You had a special gift. Thank you for the memories and may you always be remembered and cherished by the ones who loved you so.

  13. Susee Kilbanks

    September 23, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    So sad to see the passing of Chauncey Howell! My parents spoke so highly of HIS parents And how Chauncey was a “chip off the old block!”
    I spent many bus rides back-and-forth to NYC with Chauncey on Fridays and Mondays to our Easton getaway!
    Chauncey was kind enough to allow me to apprentice with him during his days at WNBC on “ Live at Five” It was wonderful watching Chauncey become Chauncey! An incredible talent with a wealth of knowledge!! My condolences go out to his family and friends!! Chauncey was one of a kind and a treasure to Easton!! Chauncey will surely be missed!!!

  14. Mike and Regina Onufrak

    September 23, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Saddened to hear of your passing …
    The nicest guy !
    As a kid I remember seeing him on the news.
    Loved when he did his spot on the local news as he explored areas from NYC to the end of the Island.
    The world needs more Chauncey’s

  15. Ally Koleba

    September 23, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    Thank you for the many years of enjoyable TV. I was a big fan of Chauncey’s reporting style.

  16. Stewart Brodian

    September 23, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    I was surprised and delighted when I first met him several years ago.
    I had seen him on television for years as a kid.
    He was kind enough to let me interview him for my TV show and he enlightened my show with some fine stories.
    Thank you for the memories.
    Rest in peace, Chauncey!

  17. Connie Mackus Trimmer

    September 24, 2021 at 2:18 am

    OMG where do I start. Chauncey growing up downtown and having you and your family as neighbors was awesome. The trips to the farm, sitting on your front porch, Helping your Mom and you picking weeds, cutting grass, shoveling snow, sweeping the porch and side walks.Runs to the stores, Joe’s market, Ken’s Deli, Mohican market. All the talks in the parking lot, Going for your Mom’s car. Watching you on the news. The stories you would tell us. And we can’t forget Tasha, (your dog) That St. Barnard was all of the Mackus kids best friend. He would get out of the yard. Come down our house walk us to school. Mrs Powell our crossing guard loved it.And be waiting for us after school. Your parents always knew where, She was when she got out. The memories we all have. When you moved back, And I saw you, You didn’t recognize me. Until I told you I was 1 of the twins. You gave me the biggest hug ever, Told me how beautiful I was. Like a butterfly. You made me smile. We will definitely miss you. Miriam, Gloria, Gail, Darlene, Bonnie, Connie, Johnny and Jackie.

  18. Barbara Conover

    September 24, 2021 at 9:09 am

    Dear dear Chauncey, my friend for more than 70 years: I shall miss you so: We shared so much: As teenagers, a love of opera; as NY City neighbors on Charles St. in the Village and then as Upper Wet Side neighbors when you were with ABC; and, upon our return to Easton, shared concerts and meals, including a wonderful Christmas dinner at the Hotel Bethlehem.

    I shall miss you so, dear friend,

    Barbara Conover

  19. Mike McFadden

    September 24, 2021 at 10:03 am

    My condolences to the Easton community. We have lost a treasure.

    My best memory of Chauncey is his reading of the Declaration on many Heritage Days. That British accent was well studied for this Levers pretender. But, better was the side banter, the quick soliloquy, that turned an otherwise dry reading into a memorable occasion . Some did not favor the irreverence. They failed to recognize Chauncey’s incredible talent. It was Chauncey doing what he did best, entertaining-making us feel good and making us laugh!.

    Chauncey had an incredible intellect. An etymologist by education, a scholar of ethnicity and a raconteur of celebrity. He was a most competent writer and his choice of words revealed an incredible dictionary buried in his brain. The best after meal dessert was to listen to his incredible commentary on people in our time. In his advanced years he continued to study acting and to receive singing lessons. He never lost that desire to remain relevant.

    He prided himself in his family name where sprinklings of distant relative names appear on area buildings and statues and roadways. There is still that old family home standing in Martins Creek. He spoke frequently of his family’s occupancy and their connection to the village community.

    Although we were a half generation apart, Chauncey and I were raised on College Hill and shared similar experiences. We were tutored by the same March school teachers and learned from the same neighborhood culture . We went to the same church and learned the commandments and morality from the same Sunday school teachers. It is personally difficult to witness his passing. It represents another lost connection to the past. As time passes, I regret that it all slowly evaporates away

    I posted the news of Chauncey’s death on a New York site. Many responses reflected an outreach of sympathy, and many also expressed Chauncey’s true talent and his gift to make us laugh. If you have a chance, look up some of Chauncey’s work on YouTube. Genius! You will see why he received five Emmy awards in the most competitive media market in America.

    We all will miss you, old friend. Perhaps we will meet up again and share a story and enjoy a good laugh.

    Mike McFadden

  20. James D. Moyer

    September 24, 2021 at 10:46 am

    RIP Chauncey, thank you for your support of choral music in Easton. I was honored to spend time with you and get to know you while I was director of the Easton Choral Society. You always remembered me and I looked forward to ‘bumping into you’ when back in Easton. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

  21. Sally Ann (Warner) and Lawrence William Howell

    September 24, 2021 at 11:15 am

    My brother Larry and I were very sad to hear of the passing of our cousin Chauncey Howell. Our Grandfather, David Howell of Phillipsburg, and Chauncey’s Father were brothers.
    We have fond memories of both of our cousin Chauncey and his parents. We will never forget his friendly humor and the way he could light up a room when he entered. We also want to thank him for his astute historical research on the Howell lineage and sharing this research with the family. Chauncey had a flair and zest for life we all should possess to the very end. God bless Chauncey.

  22. Robert L. Coe

    September 24, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Chauncey Howell — The Memory Maker!

    It was another one of those hot muggy July days in Easton, but for Maria Mastrandea it was to be perhaps one of the most memorable in her life thanks to Chauncey.

    Years before, Maria, her husband, Joe, and their family had immigrated to America from their native Italy and were presently living on Long Island. Eager to improve her English and assimilate into American life, she spent some of her time each day watching television. One of her favorite programs was a newscast on a local cable channel. Chauncey was often featured doing one of his often hilarious, zany, and always entertaining interviews.

    It was party time in Easton that afternoon on the back porch of Mary Ann Dwyer’s home at 115 Parker Avenue. Most of the guests were cousins of Mary Ann and her mom, Lee Cappiello. Others were locals including Chauncey who was doing what Chauncey often did when he found himself in the midst of group of people — being the life of the party!

    Maria couldn’t believe her eyes when she caught sight of him through the crowd. She turned and made her way into the kitchen where Lee was putting the finishing touches on another platter of insalata caprese.

    “Is that really Chauncey Howell out on the deck?” she asked Lee in their native Barese dialect. “It sure is.” Lee replied. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to him.” Maria was totally blown away and at first very hesitant, even reluctant, to meet Chauncey. She had to sit down for a moment to catch her breath to recover from the surprise of seeing one of her favorite TV personalities just a few feet away. What could she possibly say to him?

    Lee sent Mary Ann out to get Chauncey who had a deep appreciation for almost all things Italian. He was delighted at the prospect of meeting one of his fans, especially one who hailed from Italy. He made his way inside and sat down next to Maria.

    I was helping Lee bring her insalata caprese out onto the deck, so I couldn’t hear their conversation, but judging from the body language and especially the smiles, Maria was having the time of her life. It was pure Chauncey at his very best — working his magic and putting smiles on people’s faces — this time, Maria’s.

    RIP Chauncey . . . and thanks for the memories!

    Bob Coe
    Gold River, CA
    September 24, 2021

  23. RAY bERTOLINO

    September 25, 2021 at 11:24 am

    DIO TI BENEDICA, CHAUNCE !

  24. RAY BERTOLINO

    September 25, 2021 at 11:28 am

    GOD BLESS YOU, CHAUNCE !

  25. Jennifer Laubach

    September 27, 2021 at 9:33 am

    Chauncey and I shared nearly 20 years of beautiful singing together.. laughter.. storytelling.. and even some tears. He was the highlight of my week.. every Friday at 2pm.. opening our scores and sightreading German lieder. He would stop and tell me we were learning this repertoire because I should be singing it, not him. Oh Chauncey.. your bright and generous spirit will be so terribly missed.

    Now your voice is among the heavenly choirs.. and we will share duets again one day, my dear friend. God Bless.

  26. ALAN SCHECHTER

    September 27, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Reminiscences about Chauncey. How to capture the intense love of life and personality of an exceptional man. Chauncey and I were roommates our last two years at Amherst College, and he was best man at our wedding.
    First, from college years: Chauncey and I laughed a lot. I was dating my future wife, Alison, and Chauncey gave us a pre-engagement present of a baby’s potty seat to use as a drink mixer, perfect given his off-beat personality. After a while, we converted it to a goldfish bowl, and our pet survived that whole senior year.
    That year, Chauncey introduced me to a life-long love for opera. Alison got a first job after college working to help the granddaughter of former president Herbert Hoover (!), who was legally blind, and teaching at her private school. The Hoovers’ rented the center box at the Saturday matinee of the Met Opera to enrich the education of the youngster, and Alison took her almost every week. There were eight seats, and there weren’t eight 15 year-olds who wanted to go, so I was able to repay Chauncey in spades.
    Shortly afterwards, Chauncey was drafted. He had majored in classics, but had never been to Europe, and spoke often of how eager he was to explore classical sites. But first, he was sent to Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He was eager to get through basic, since his mates mocked him for lying on his bed reading in Latin while they played cards, read magazines, and joked around. He reported they thought he was from another world.
    At a certain point, the company officer said at roll call “Who can read?” When of course no one volunteered, the lieutenant said, “Howell, you went to college, you’re the new company clerk”. Then, basic training was finished, and they shipped out to Germany. Chauncey wrote “Finally, Europe”. Shortly, he got orders detaching him from the unit and ordering him back to Fort Jackson, where he spent the next two years. Evidently, the captain had criticized the lieutenant for the abrupt decline in the quality of his reports, and the lieutenant solved his problem.
    When the Berlin Wall crisis occurred in 1961, President Kennedy issued a call for 150,000 soldiers. I almost volunteered, although I was in graduate school, but it became clear the military only wanted trained men. Chauncey was called up, and – hold it – he was sent back to Fort Jackson to write training reports for draftees for another year. No wonder he went to the Big Apple and began writing and interviewing for Women’s Wear Daily after completing his service. He had the gift of gab and he talked his way into the job even though he was unsophisticated about food and travel. That started his career as a restaurant critic and “Man About Town” interviewer on New York media.
    My wife’s parents had fallen in love with Chauncey, and they invited him frequently for dinner to their home in New Canaan. He had acquired an old motorcycle, and he rode out on weekends. Chauncey the esthete riding up the Merritt Parkway on a motorcycle was as incongruous as you can imagine.
    By this point, I was an instructor and then assistant professor at Wellesley College. We saw him infrequently, but remained in contact through Alison’s parents. I spoke with him at Amherst reunions, and we remained close friends, despite our physical separation.
    Writing these notes has been a catharsis for me. Chauncey enriched my life and I am deeply grateful for his friendship.

  27. henry dalberto

    September 27, 2021 at 11:56 am

    chauncey was a great friend and classmate.condolences to David and Sally. Anne and I will miss him.

  28. Charles Howell Gundy

    September 27, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Dear Uncle Chauncey,

    I was very sad to hear of your passing. You were a true original, a great entertainer and wit. Many a family holiday meal was enlivened by your energy, frank and colourful commentary! Thank you for inviting me to join you on a day out filming in New York – this will stay with me as a wonderful memory. We inherited your Monty Pythyon record – for which many thanks! It has pride of place in our record collection. Much love from nephew Charles

  29. Johannes Gundy

    September 27, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Rest in peace dear Chauncey, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  30. Roderick Nash

    September 27, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    I miss you, Chauncey. Remember we met in the Army at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1961, and I directed you in a production of The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder. You were hilarious in the role of Horace Vandergelder! When I got out of the Army in 1964, you let me stay in your apartment in Greenwich Village until I found a place of my own uptown. Later you came to see me perform Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard out in the hinterlands of New Jersey! You were always very supportive, encouraging, and so much fun to be with! You were a beautiful friend to have. I miss you.

  31. Tom Flynn

    November 23, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Just heard about your passing. Rest In Peace my old friend, you were a great guy.

  32. Garrett Glaser

    December 4, 2021 at 10:13 am

    I was in the news business 30 years and worked with Chauncey for three of them. We were at WABC TV Channel 7 in New York. Chauncey was far and away THE most talented feature reporter I have ever known! His work was unique! he created little masterpieces within hours each day. Because of all the elements the stories contained, they were cumbersome for the tape editors to put together, but he guided them every step of the way. No exaggeration: Chaunce was brilliant. A truly fine mind. I’m SO sad to see that he has left us. I will always remember and revere you, my brother.

    Chaunce, Im going to miss you.

  33. David DeCuzzi

    February 6, 2022 at 12:41 am

    Ah, c’est la vie. I met Chauncey Howell way back sometime in the mid 1970’s as a little boy at a medieval faire in upstate NY. I will never forget he was wearing a strange looking checkered blazer and pork pie hat with high water pants. He was the first real live celebrity I ever met. He had a microphone and camera man, everyone said he was a newsman. When I asked him “why have I never seen you on TV”? He replied with his quirky smile, “that’s because you were watching the Flintstones.” I watched the broadcast that night, but I did not see myself. Memories. Chauncey, you will always be a current events story to me.

  34. Jill Newman Iversen

    March 26, 2023 at 4:43 pm

    I met Chauncey when I was just starting out at Women’s Wear Daily, and he was already a star. I also had a ginormous crush on him at a time when the word “ginormous” didn’t even exist, but I still have it to this day.

    Ave atque vale, dear Chauncey,

    jill