On Monday, March 18th, Dennis "Matt" Howe died unexpectedly at the age of 45 as the result of an accident. Howe, a NYSDOT employee died a week after his vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer in Tioga County as Howe and his team was performing highway safety work. Howe is survived by his wife, Alycia Haus; daughter, Bre Howe; son, Dalton Howe; parents, siblings, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Howe will be laid to rest today, March 25th, and Tioga County Emergency Services has issued a statement to let motorists know that there will be delays in the village of Owego. Howe's funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Owego United Methodist Church at 264 Main Street in Owego.  Main Street from Church Street to John Street will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A procession will follow the funeral and will travel down Main Street to John Street to Front Street. The procession will proceed onto a section of Route 17 before returning via Front Street to John Street to Main Street. If you’d like to stand and show your support to Howe’s family, you are asked to line the procession route on the sidewalk and not the roadway.

The VFW Auxiliary, Post 1371 in Owego will host the Matt Howe Memorial Inaugural Chicken BBQ on Saturday, April 13th beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Pre-sale tickets only are available at the canteen by calling 687-1371 and the cut off date to buy tickets is April 8th. The cost of the dinner is $10.00 and includes 1/2 chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll with butter and dessert. Proceeds will benefit the National Unmet Needs Program which helps military families with basic needs when a military family member is deployed.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with bills associated with Howe's medical care and funeral. You can also make a donation by visiting VFW, Post 1371 at  207 Main Street in Owego.

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