Howard John Munro of Hampton Bays Dies October 29

Howard John Munro of Hampton Bays died peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 29. He was 59.

He graduated from Hampton Bays High School in 1982, and Southampton College in 1986, with a degree in English. He did clerical work for many years in his father’s doctor’s office in Riverhead. He had great skill organizing charts and memorizing chart numbers, his family said.

More recently, he earned a certificate in medical billing and coding at the Branford Institute and graduated with honors. Until his death, he was very proud to do custodial work at the YMCA in East Hampton.

As an individual on the autism/asperger’s spectrum, he always described himself as a “unique character that loves to entertain.”

He was known by many as the “Puppet Man.” His hobbies included entertaining his young cousins and friends with his puppets and painting cartoon characters on seashells that he gave away free to his friends. Many people were impressed by his artistic talent. He had never taken any art classes. He also enjoyed “chillaxing” at his favorite restaurant, Panera Bread, and attending his sister’s Sunday community band concerts with the NDWFMNB. All the band members considered him part of the “band family.”

He was predeceased by his mother, Estelle Munro, in 2014 and his father, Dr. Howard G. Munro, in 2000.

He is survived by his two sisters, Michelle Munro and Bonnie Gaffney (John) and his nephew and niece Tyler and Sierra Gaffney, all of Hampton Bays; and two uncles, Dr. Alan Munro (Marty) of Massachusetts and Bill Isherwood of Washington State. He will also be deeply missed by our cat “Spooky” and many cousins and friends of all ages.

In lieu of flowers, the Munro family is asking for donations to the Hampton Bays Methodist Church in support of Maureen’s Haven and Rise Life Services (Riselifeservices.org), a local non-profit that was near and dear to him.