Howard Avery Milligan, Jr.

Howard Avery Milligan, Jr., died on February 25, 2019, with his family by his side.

Howard was born on October 18, 1942 in Jackson Heights, New York to the late Howard Avery Milligan, Sr. and Helen (Denner) Milligan. His father’s job brought the family back to their Philadelphia-area roots in 1955. He was a 1960 graduate of Springfield (Delco) High School, where he played football, wrestled and ran track. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a tank driver. Following his service, he returned home and worked for Sunroc as a draftsman. It was there that he met the love of his life. He married Patricia Lyn Ryan on July 23, 1966. They settled in Parkesburg, Chester County in 1972, where they raised their three sons.

Howard was a long-time youth football and baseball coach, and long-suffering Philadelphia sports fan. While he loved caring for his yard, fixing things around the house, collecting coins, watching movies and reading about history, constant devotion to his family is what he loved most and did best.

In addition to Pat, his wife and best friend of 53 years, he is survived by his three sons: Greg (Carol) of Carlisle, PA; Keith (Gina) of Fairhaven, MA; and Jeff (Gretchen) of Parkesburg; seven grandchildren: Isaac, Jake, Ben, Audrey, Quinn, Emma and Bailey, and a sister Helen (Milligan) Skelley of Chichester, PA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 11:00 AM at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main Street, Parkesburg, PA with visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family would request a donation in Howard’s name be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com