Howard T. Meschutt, Jr.

Middleburgh - Howard Thurman Meschutt Jr. went to his eternal rest with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was reunited with his lifelong love Gladys on Thursday August 15, 2019 in Cooperstown, NY only a week after celebrating his 97th birthday. 

Thurm, as he was best known, was the 6th child of eight children and the oldest son of Howard T Meschutt and Annie Fanning Meschutt of Hampton Bays, NY and was born on Aug 8, 1922.  He lived almost his entire life in his hometown and attended the Hampton Bays School and then received his BS cum laude from the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy on Jan 25, 1944, graduating third in his class from what was at the time the top Pharmacy College in the nation. Immediately after his graduation he joined the US Navy and was commissioned an Ensign on March 6, 1945 and served on the PC 1131 in the South Pacific theatre during World War II. With the end of the war he returned to his home town and began his career as a licensed Pharmacist which would span over 40 years.  He started at Backstatter’s Drug Store and then opened his own store, Meschutt Pharmacy, in 1951 which he operated until 1973.  He then went to work at Center Island Pharmacy, also in Hampton Bays and finally at Speed’s Pharmacy in Westhampton Beach until his retirement in the late 1980’s. 

He married his one true love, Gladys Johnsen, on June 17, 1950 and was a devoted and loving husband to her for over 68 years until her passing in October 2018.   On April 3, 1963 his only child, Randall L. Meschutt was born.  In the early 90’s he was blessed with the birth of two of his greatest joys, his grandsons, Alex and Jonathan Meschutt.  He and Gladys spent their last years in Middleburgh, NY with their son and his wife to be closer to family. 

A lifelong member of the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church he also taught Sunday school there from 1970 to 1979 and was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Board.  He was also a member of the American Legion.

He was pre deceased by his wife, Gladys of Hampton Bays and Middleburgh, NY, his parents, his in-laws Halvard and Elise Johnsen and his step mother-in-law Hjordis Johnsen as well as his sisters Barbara, Florence and Virginia, Marion and Marie and their spouses, his sister-in-law Evelyn and his nephews David and Rick.

He is survived by his son Randall J. Meschutt and his wife Shari of Middleburgh, NY, grandsons Alexander J. Meschutt of Jacksonville, NC and Jonathan H. Meschutt of Oneonta, NY as well as his sister Anne Mepham of Williamsburg, VA and his brother Philip Fredrick Meschutt IV of Dix Hills, NY as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, step-grand children, a step-great grandson and extended family and friends.

At his request, there will not be any calling hours.  The internment of both Thurm and Gladys will take place with a graveside service at the family plot at Good Ground Cemetery in Hampton Bays on Saturday, October 19, 2019.  Family and friends will then gather to celebrate their lives and their love following the service at the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church Anderson Warner Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers or gifts the family asks that a contribution be made to the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church Bible fund in the name of Howard and Gladys Meschutt.  The church has purchased new pew Bibles for the sanctuary and for each $10 received the church will memorialize one of these new Bibles in their name.  We feel this is the most appropriate, long term and significant memorial that could be made to honor their memory.  Donations can be mailed directly to the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church, 158 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946.  Please place Howard Meschutt’s name in the memo.

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