Grand Avenue Bus Operator Christopher N. Howard Is Lost to Virus

Grand Avenue Depot has lost another union brother to the Coronavirus.  Bus Operator Christopher Neil Howard, 52, died on May 3, 2020 after a battle with the deadly disease.  He had nearly 22 years on the job.  He is the second Grand Avenue Bus Operator to succumb to the virus, the first being Cesar Torres in early April. Friends from the Depot began posting their condolences on Facebook when his passing became known.  One co-worker said: “Damn, when I came on the job in 2001, he was one of the first people to show me the ropes without having to ask. My deepest condolences to his family.”

Another said, “I drove with him.  Cool guy.  Always serious, but he had a great ear.  May my Brother Rest in Peace." In his personal life, Brother Howard was Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jamaica, NY.  He was an inspirational speaker and gifted singer.  Words of condolence began pouring in from the faithful from his own Church and from sister Churches across the state and from as far away as Virginia.

One of his brothers from the Church said that “his advice was better than Dr. Phil” with a laugh. “There’s so much that can be said about Pastor Howard. He was so many things to so many people. Whatever, whenever and for whoever, Pastor Howard was there. He was one who gave numerous young preachers a chance to minister behind the sacred desk of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was a spiritual covering and example to many of us in the Gospel. Pastor Howard was as real as it gets.”

He graduated from Far Rockaway High School, where he was a star quarterback on the Far Rock Football team.  One of his teammates on that squad remembers him this way: “Chris, as our Quarterback, was our leader. I can still see his eyes and hear his voice as he would call the next play while we were in the huddle. Always calm and confident, Chris went on to became one of the ALL TIME Great High School Football players and a GREAT friend to many.”  The New York Post honored him as High School Athlete of the Week in 1986.