YARMOUTH — Howard Ingalls Small, 93, died April 15 in Portland.
He was born in North Wilbraham, Mass., a son of Howard B. and Anna (Cook) Small.
He attended schools in Sturbridge, Mass., before returning to Maine at age 10.
Adept at numbers, he was hired at a young age as a budget statistician at Bath Iron Works and was later promoted to chief accountant.
He married Lillian Reinsborough and became a father to her daughter Jane.
In 1946, after leaving BIW because of an illness, he developed the largest amusement park at the time in Maine called Royal River Park in New Gloucester. There he staged many new events including motorcycle races and live rodeos.
In 1948, he started Howards Horse Supply on Main Street in Yarmouth, which remained in business until 1995.
He set up the Millionth Visitor Parade and Carnival in Portland and later moved it to Yarmouth. After several different locations, it became part of the Yarmouth Clam Festival.
He also donated land to North Yarmouth Academy, where the Travis Roy Ice Arena is now located. NYA created an award in his honor, the Howard Small Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is presented to a teacher who represents knowledge, patience, respect, passion and commitment.
He formed the National Pony Trotting Association and held races at his property at Vacation Downs in Yarmouth and throughout the Northeast and Canada.
An avid historian, he also enjoyed telling stories about his unique life experiences.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lillian J.(Reinsborough) Small in 1998, and sisters, Jeanne Dumont and Thelma Small.
He is survived by a sister, Lois LaBeau and her husband Joseph of Revere, Mass.; brother, Ray Small and his wife Betty of Freeport; daughter, Jane E. Plante and her husband Perley of Spofford, N.H. and Cumberland; grandchildren, Carla Jane Mansfield and her husband Michael of Westmoreland, N.H., Kristi Jo Plante and Keith Dutton of Winchester, N.H.; great-grandchildren, Rebecca Mansfield, Adam Plante, Kyle, Eric and Skye Robicheau; his companion and caregiver, Sharon Forbis of Portland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held earlier this week.
Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.
Memories and condolences can be shared at mem.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Riding to the Top, P.O. Box 1928, Windham, ME 04062, or to Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011.
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