Howard I Beaubien

Howard Irving Beaubien passed peacefully on August 30, 2026 at Kline Hospice House in Mt. Airy just short of his 92nd birthday. He was born in Nashua, NH on September 15, 1934, son of Harold and Dorothea Fessenden Beaubien and graduated from Nashua High School in 1952.

Right out of high school, Howard enlisted in the Army. He was a proud veteran who served at the end of the Korean War on the Enewetak Atoll, where he witnessed several atomic bomb tests.

After returning, he and Peg married and had their sons while he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from American University. He worked for the CIA in the US Embassy early in the Vietnam war, eventually leaving the government workforce to own Carlyn Springs Road Exxon in Arlington, Va. Howard later worked at Schmitz Exxon in Tysons Corner, Va. and then managed Four County Exxon in Mt. Airy. Aside from leaves of absence to raise two grandbabies, Howard worked at Green Valley Garage for the past 25 years. He was well-known throughout the community for his kindness, generosity, and infectious positivity.

Howard loved spending time outdoors - hunting at Pine Acres Hunt Club in Buckingham County, VA, pumping gas at the station, tending to his thousands of daffodils in Spring, watching his beloved ‘court kids’ play outside, or just sitting in the driveway visiting with neighbors. He was an avid reader who enjoyed long conversations about history and sharing stories of his own adventures overseas. He enjoyed breakfast at the Mt. Airy Inn almost daily and delighted in making friends with the whole staff.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Margaret (Peg) Saunders Beaubien in 2016; a son, Michael Gregory Beaubien in 1984; two sisters, Jacqueline Knowles and Beth Gay; and brother Teddy Wirtanen.

Howard is survived by three sons: Howard Beaubien Jr (Norma) of Gaithersburg, James Beaubien of Bethesda, and Mark Beaubien (Michele) of Monrovia; four grandchildren: Lindsey Beaubien (Roya), Brian Beaubien (Candice), Karmen Neale, and Timothy Beaubien; two great-grandchildren: Alexandra and Declan; brother Harold Beaubien (Kathy) of The Villages, FL; and sister Bonnie Beaubien (MaryLou) of Deerfield, NH.

The family would like to thank the Frederick Health Hospice and Kline Hospice House staff for the outstanding compassion and care they provided Howard in his final days.

In accordance with Howard’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time. Memorial contributions may be made to Frederick Health Hospice (Kline House Fund), 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick MD 21701.

“Carry on!” ~ Howard