The Rev. Clarence J. Howard, 80, of Louisville, former pastor of the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, St. Catherine Catholic Church in New Haven and St. Vincent de Paul in New Hope, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 at Norton’s Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville and had been a priest for 54 years.
He was born June 6, 1935, in Howardstown to the late Arthur Francis and Nellie Hagan Howard. He began his life of faith at St. Ann Church. He attended St. Mary’s College in St. Mary and St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind. He was ordained on May 27, 1961 by Archbishop John A. Floersh.
His assignments included St. Benedict and St. Raphael Churches in Louisville, St. Bernard Church in Clementsville, the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, and St. Catherine Church in New Haven where he retired. He was presently a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Prospect. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1290, Bardstown and served as their Chaplain for several years. He also served on the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Priests’ Council and College of Consultors.
He is survived by two sisters, LaNell (Frank) Caspar of Lexington and Rosita (Russell) Raque of Louisville; one brother, Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Howard, with whom he made his home with in Louisville; four nieces, Ann Manning, Pam Freeman, Brenda Carroll, and Julie Adams; one nephew, Mike Caspar; 12 great-nieces and nephews and several cousins.
The Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 6500 St. Bernadette Ave., Prospect.
Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial is 3:30 p.m. Monday at St. Catherine Cemetery in New Haven.
The Joseph L. Greenwell Funeral Home in New Haven is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may lave condolences at www.jlgfuneralhome.com.

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