IN LOVING MEMORY

ROY HOWARD
April 14, 1934 - January 29, 2013



"His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!"
                                                                                                                                                                                                      - Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

 

ROY HOWARD, KNOWN FOR "WOODSTOCK" MASS GATHERING, DEAD AT 78
By: Steve Israel - Times Herald Record		 COUNTY  NATIVE ROY HOWARD DEAD AT 78
By: Dan Hust - Sullivan County Democrat

☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮


 
Dedicated to the memory of my Brother, Roy Howard. May you Rest in Peace.
                                  Bob Kristopher

 Turn, Turn, Turn
By: The Byrds



Artist: Kelley Apgar		 I DID NOT DIE

Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there.  I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on the snow.
I am the sun on ripened grain.
I am the autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning... hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush of birds that circle high in flight.
I am the stars' bright guiding light.
I am the music in your soul, the rhythmic drumming thousand fold.
I am bonfires warming glow.
I'm all the colors of rainbow.
When you wear worn, world-wearied face,
I'm Woodstock's "Welcome Home" embrace for brothers, sisters, far apart.
I'm peace and love within your hearts.
So do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.  I didn't die.
                                                                                     Origin: Mary Elizabeth Frye
                                                                                    By: MaryJo Vacca Martin


For anyone wishing to honor Roy's memory please send donations to:
The Tisch Cancer Institute,
In memory of Roy Howard to further the research of:
 Dr. William Oh
Mt Sinai Medical Center Development Office,
1 Gustave Levy Place, Box 1049, New York, NY 10029.

 

☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮


                                                             Courtesy: Woodstock Peace, Music & Memories
In 1985, Miriam Yasgur decided to sell their homestead. It was purchased by Roy Howard, a Monticello, NY resident and Woodstock alumnus. A stipulation in the deed stated that one square foot of land would remain Yasgur property, ensuring that a piece of Max's farm would forever remain.

In 1996, after the Woodstock Site was sold, the annual reunions that took place on that land were halted and the people were no longer allowed to celebrate on the land. It was then when Roy Howard, and his wife Jeryl Abramson, stepped in to help and they welcomed all the celebrants to their farm - Max's Farm.

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world traveled to Roy and Jeryl's every year to celebrate Woodstock's anniversary, and the reunions continued every August for 10 years, until the town permanently enjoined the couple from welcoming people.

Following years or controversy and legal battles, in 2006 the annual gatherings were banned by the Town of Bethel through the use of excessive police force, but the people still come.

Currently, the permit process continues, and it is our hope that 2013 will see the ban lifted, and a permit issued, allowing us to legally return "home", once again.*

 

For over 10 years Roy and Jeryl welcomed pilgrims back to Max's farm for three-day celebrations that often included stages with music performances, mini-stages for jam sessions, drum circles, free kitchens, and camping. 
"Woodstockers" as we were called, were always "Welcomed Home".
                                                                                                                                          Excerpt: Woodstock Peace, Music & Memories


      ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪

*On April 9, 2013:
The Bethel Planning Board issued the permit, allowing us to return "home"!!

From Jeryl Abramson:

"For the past 17 years I've held these words in my heart. My heart is now broken but these words have found their time:
In honor of Max and Miriam Yasgur, on behalf of Roy Howard, and myself, Jeryl Abramson Howard,

Welcome Home, at long last, Welcome Home."

~~~~ The 1st Annual Roy Howard Memorial Reunion ~~~~
August 15, 16, & 17

       ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪

 

   

 

☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮

 


Courtesy: Motorcycle Hippy Al
Late 1990's

Courtesy: Ted Waddell
 Woodstock Spirit Is Kept Alive
Sullivan County Democrat - Aug 21, 2001
Courtesy: Times Herald Record
Roy, Jeryl & Zack - 2004

 

 


Courtesy: Sullivan County Democrat
2000


    
     Courtesy: Tommy Maher
     2010
Courtesy: Times Herald Record
2004




Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2011
Courtesy: Sullican County Democrat
2011

       
        Courtesy: Tommy Maher
        2011
Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2011


Courtesy: Howie Block

Courtesy: Matt Smith Redzy
2006


Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2010
Courtest: Motorcycle Hippy Al



Courtesy: Tommy Maher
Courtesy: Matt Smith Redzy




Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2011

Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2009
Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2012
Courtesy: Tommy Maher
2009

Courtesy: Sullivan County Democrat

 


☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪    In Memory   ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪
(Excerpts from Facebook Comments)
♥ ♪ ☮... The world lost a true pioneer of the Spirit of Woodstock. Roy Howard passed away, but his spirit and dedication will live on forever. Mr. Roy Howard, who in my opinion, is an AMERICAN FOLK HERO that Always just tried to do the right thing by treating people right, and trying to protect their Rights. (TMaher) ...♥ ♪ ☮... I can only equate Roy to the image of the late Max Yasgur. Both opened up their hearts and property to perpetuate the Woodstock Festival. (BKristopher) …♥ ♪ ☮ ... I knew a giant of a man who dared to take a stand. (MKapareiko) … ♥ ♪ ☮... We lost a very special and kind family member of all. (ADatlo) …♥ ♪ ☮... Roy was a great man, a peaceful soul, and a guy who was not afraid to fight for the things he loved and believed in. (RClarksen) … ♥ ♪ ☮... He was a mighty pilgrim for the peace and love (JGodlove) … ♥ ♪ ☮... Truly honored to have been able to call you friend! (JKroop) … ♥ ♪ ☮... Roy was a kind loving "foster father" for thousands of travelers, visionaries, poets and the likeminded gatherers of the Woodstock Nation. His stewardship and determination of protect this dream for so many makes his life no loss. (StoneBear) … ♥ ♪ ☮... He was always there for everybody for anything and everything. (DHeath) … ♥ ♪ ☮... He will be honored and he will be missed! (RRobinson) … ♥ ♪ ☮... It was great to watch how get got things done. Quiet, steady and confident, while being a genuine nice guy. (CaptJach) … ♥ ♪ ☮... He was a great man. (JRog) … ♥ ♪ ☮... You’ve worked hard and done well to protect a legacy, and we're all eternally grateful and better for your work. (DSunshine) … ♥ ♪ ☮...  One cool person always had a smile and a good vibe every time I saw him (WRodgers)… ♥ ♪ ☮... An amazing Man, a great brother, a Woodstock legend.. (MSRedzy) … ♥ ♪ ☮... We have lost a true family member who has touched the hearts of all who knew him. He was my brother.(TMaher) … ♥ ♪ ☮... You were truly one of a kind! Your generosity, spirit and warm heart will live forever! (JKroop) …♥ ♪ ☮... Roy Howard was always there for us. He was our dear friend, who encompassed the meaning of peace, love and brotherhod, and who shared his heart of gold with everyone along the way. He was a good man. He is a Hero. He is a Legend. (JHague) ...♥ ♪ ☮...
 

 

 

Roy Howard’s Rock ’n Roll Band

I wonder what Roy would say
If he could hear this song
Something sweet sardonic
Something true and strong.

If courage was a tapestry
Then Roy would truly be
A cloth of golden lightning weaves
Tall radiant and free.

Tonight I hear a guitar
Screaming through the trees
He rides the riff of courage
His rhythm in the breeze.

As he rides upon the guitar
Clutching Woodstock's hand
He will turn to look upon us
From Roy's rock 'n roll band.

Woodstock was a friend of mine
And I know he loved it so
I cry as they both ride away
A distant hollowed glow.

As he rides upon the guitar
Clutching Woodstock's hand
He will turn to look upon us
From Roy's rock 'n roll band
From Roy's rock 'n roll band.

-Howie Block
Kauneonga Lake
1.29.13.

 

☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮ ♥ ♪ ☮

 

 

A LONG-AWAITED HOMECOMING AT YASGUR'S
Sullivan County Democrat - Aug 21, 2013
By: Dan Hust

 

Background Pic Courtesy: Zig Zag

 

BACK