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Howard Atkins died last night. I know that most of you never heard of Howard, but if you lived anywhere between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida you probably heard of him or shopped at his store, Howard’s Market in suburban Boca Raton.

You most certainly did during the aftermath of several hurricanes, especially Hurricane Wilma that lashed the area and closed just about everything down and when his was the only food market open and even serving hot food anywhere in the area for almost a week after the storm.

That’s because Howard had the foresight to install a mighty generator capable of providing all the electric power needed to keep the store open and functioning when you couldn’t even find a bank or an ATM functioning. As a result he had long lines stretching around the small shopping plaza for days afterward.

After my wife died some 18 years ago Howard’s Market fed me hot meals and provided most of the staples needed to sustain my mighty appetite for both victuals and wine. If you needed it he probably stocked it.

Howard was a success because he worked his head off, and probably worked himself to an early death. He was always there, day and night and worked harder than most of his customers did in their occupational pursuits.

If anyone asked me where I lived I told them “across the street from Howards.” That told them all they needed to know about my location.

Howard Atkins was living proof that the American dream is still alive. He lived and breathed and worked hard to achieve it and this community is the better for it. His life needs to be celebrated.

Requiescat in Pacem, Howard. You will be sorely missed.

Phil Brennan is a veteran journalist. He is editor & publisher of Wednesday on the Web and was Washington columnist for National Review magazine in the 1960s. He also served as a staff aide for the House Republican Policy Committee and helped handle the Washington public relations operation for the Alaska Statehood Committee which won statehood for Alaska. He is also a trustee of the Lincoln Heritage Institute and a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers.

He can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)