Howard Russell Renzi

Howard Renzi February 23, 1945 – July 30, 2025 Howard “Howie” Renzi, 80, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he was the son of Kathlyn Alberta Renzi (Russell) and George Bernard Renzi. Howard always adored his brothers Bobby and Roger as well as all of his Renzi cousins. As a teen, he worked as a golf caddy to earn tuition for Fairfield Prep. Howard was nominated by a local U.S. Senator to apply to the United States Naval Academy in recognition of his academic and athletic achievements. He was accepted and began his Plebe year in the fall of 1963. During his time at the Naval Academy, Howard was paired early on with Robbie Robitaille as his roommate, and the two became lifelong best friends. In 1964, while at the Naval Academy, he embarked on the “Youngster Cruise” to Europe. In England, he talked his way into a sold-out concert for a band he’d never heard of, which turned out to be the Beatles. In 1967, Howard was selected for Admiral Rickover’s elite Nuclear Power Program. While training at Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland, he went on a blind date with Genevieve “Gennie” Conway, a physical therapy student at the University of Maryland. It was love at first sight. He proposed in less than a year, and they married in September 1968 at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine with a reception at the DuPont Hotel in Wilmington, Delaware. He cherished Gennie’s parents, Helen (Kerr) and Patrick Conway, and felt instantly welcomed by the whole extended family. Howard completed Nuclear Prototype and Submarine School before being stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He and Gennie settled in Makakilo City, Oahu. Howard served aboard the USS Daniel Webster (SSBN 626 Blue), which he later fondly called his “home away from home.” He completed two Polaris patrols out of Guam between 1970 and 1971 and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, two Polaris Patrol Pins and Submarine Dolphins insignia. Following his service, Howard earned an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Columbia University. He and Gennie settled in Wyncote, Pennsylvania where they raised their three children: Michael, Melissa and Lauren. Howie began his career as a CPA at Arthur Andersen & Co., then co-founded Renzi, Pinti & Co. in 1977. Their first office was in the PSFS building in Center City Philadelphia. Over the years, the firm moved to Collingswood, NJ and expanded through acquisitions, eventually becoming Renzi, Bernardi, Suarez & Co. Through Howard’s Philadelphia connection to Emma Chappelle, a pioneering banker and community leader, Howard was asked to supervise the audit team for Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign. This work was recognized by the Federal Election Commission as the most thorough supporting documentation from a Democratic nominee to date. Howard then served as Treasurer for Jackson’s 1988 campaign, and he spent significant time in Chicago during both campaigns. During that campaign, Jackson and his team, including Howard, landed their helicopter on the field of his children’s school, Ancillae Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, PA. Jackson delivered a speech to the whole student body with Howard by his side. In 1995, Howard transitioned to financial planning full-time and founded Capital Planning Associates of the Greater Delaware Valley, Inc. The firm offered financial planning and investment services through H.D. Vest, a national firm supporting tax professionals in wealth management. As a registered representative, Howard helped clients turn tax savings into long-term financial security. He was consistently recognized as a “Top Producer,” earning a place among the firm’s highest-performing advisors nationwide for many years. One of his most rewarding experiences was empowering his clients to plan and reach their financial goals. While his achievements were many, Howard’s deepest joy came from his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who brought warmth, presence and humor to every role. Despite long work hours, he found time to connect with his children deeply and playfully. He was known for coming up with sweet and funny nicknames for everyday activities and for his children. Howard’s life was blessed by a lifelong friendship with his brother Bobby. They balanced each other in every way possible, a relationship that kept Howard young and smiling and kept Bobby cared for in ways he couldn’t manage on his own. With the birth of Patrick Renzi Gustafson in 2012, Howard learned yet another level of love, that of grandfather to grandchild. The next year Howard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2016 and 2017, his joy multiplied with the arrivals of two more grandchildren, Eva Renzi Gustafson and Michael Howard Renzi. As long as he could, Howard actively played with them—reading, crawling, playing hide and seek, going on the swings, sliding down the slide and making the most of every precious moment. Starting in 2001, Southern California became a frequent destination for Howard and Gennie, as all three of their children—Melissa, Lauren and Michael—lived there at various times. They loved exploring San Diego, Los Angeles and Redondo Beach together. Later, it brought Howie great joy when Michael, then Melissa returned to New England, bringing family even closer to home. In 2021, Howie and Bobby moved to New England. Soon after, Howard was diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The family is deeply grateful to the skilled nursing team at Seabury Health Center for the impeccable experience and loving care. In his later years, as Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies made it harder to express himself outwardly, Howard began introducing himself more widely as “Howie,” a more welcoming name that reflected his inner warmth. Howard was predeceased by his beloved brother Roger and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gennie; his brother Bobby; his children Michael, Melissa (and husband Bob) and Lauren; his grandchildren Patrick (12), Eva (8) and Michael (8); his nephew Roger and countless other family members, friends and clients whose hearts he touched. Howard will be remembered for his intellect, character and especially his humor. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or to organizations supporting veterans. If flowers are preferred, they will be joyfully received in memory of Howie’s mother, who was crazy about them. Please join us on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, CT, to celebrate Howie’s beautiful life. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Military honors will be held after mass outside the church. A reception will follow and the funeral service will be available via livestream link below https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a25082461982434