Howard Erstad, 88, of Altoona, Florida, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2019 at the Lakeview Terrace Health Care Center in Altoona, FL.

Born August 12, 1931 in Bergen, Norway, he was the son of the late Monrad and Alma Henriksen Erstad. He was the husband of Carmela "Millie" Gaeta Erstad whom he married on June 23, 1956. They celebrated their 63 ^rd wedding anniversary this year.

Howard was raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was a machinist's mate in the U.S. Navy, serving his country during the Korean War. He and his wife moved to Towson, Maryland in 1958 where they raised their son and daughter. He was a stationary engineer for Continental Insurance and the State of Maryland. In 1994, Howard and Millie moved to Florida to enjoy their retirement in the sunshine.

Growing up, he attended Brooklyn Dodgers' baseball games at Ebbets Field in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. He was a New York Giants' football fan before moving to Maryland, where he became a Baltimore Colts' fan. As a Giants' fan, he had the privilege of attending "The Greatest Game Ever Played," the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants.

He is survived by his wife Carmela "Millie"; children Stephen Erstad and his wife Eileen of Niceville, FL, daughter Laura Arndts and her husband Randy of Westminster, MD; grandchildren Brian Arndts and his wife Tricia of Eldersburg, MD, Eric Arndts and his wife Emily of Eldersburg, MD; a great-granddaughter; sister-in-law Jean Truzzolino of Bayside, NY and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by relatives in Norway, including the Bruland family in Sandefjord and Oslo, and other extended Norwegian family members.

Two memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 9. The first will be held at the Lakeview Terrace Wellness Center, Altoona, FL at 10:00 AM, the second at the Allen J. Harden Funeral Home in Mt. Dora, FL at 1:00 PM. Family and friends are welcome to attend whichever service is more convenient.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lakeview Terrace Library Fund, 331 Raintree Drive Altoona, FL 32702