Howard Brynes, 85

WARWICK, R.I. – Howard W. Brynes died on Aug. 11, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Providence to the best possible parents, the late Leo and Libby (Jaffa) Brynes. He was a longtime resident of the Potowomut area of Warwick and most recently of Boynton Beach Florida. He spent his youth hanging out with his lifelong best friend and cousin, the late Farrel Jaffa. After graduating from URI in 1961 with an engineering degree, he briefly worked in Rochester, New York, and then returned to Rhode Island to open his own precision machine shop. During the 1970s, he owned and operated a bingo hall with his then companion and lifelong friend, Barbara. As co-owner with his sister, Eleanor, of the Atlantic Mills, he developed his vision of a community of artists, local businesses and, of course, the Big Top Flea Market.

Never one to sit still, he earned his small plane pilot’s license and flew a Cessna for business and pleasure for many years. He took many skiing trips with his friend David, driving to the ski slopes, listening to ABBA on the tape player. His adventurous spirit took him to Europe riding his Harley and to Japan to develop a patent. In the 1990s, he decided to become a sailor and captained the Tern for many years. He sailed Newport harbor and the islands with his poodle, Bingo, by his side. During these years, he spent many hours with his much-loved grandsons, taking them to temple, cooking them breakfast, fishing and teaching them to be honorable and kind. He was a longtime member of Temple Am David and its men's club, where he would frequently cook lox, eggs and onions after Friday minyan.

His love for animals was well known. Always tender-hearted, he would feed the squirrels, birds and chipmunks until they were fat and often eating out of his hand. His poodles were his constant companions, and he would walk them for miles through Goddard Park enjoying the peacefulness and making many friends. His other love was playing gin. Whether he was playing with his mother in Florida or with Mark at a Red Sox game, he didn't like to lose, often tearing up one card of the deck in a fit of annoyance at the terrible cards he was getting.

Howard exemplified kindness and generosity of spirit, always striving to do the honorable thing. His smile and spirit will be greatly missed. SUAD

He leaves behind his beloved Paige Plumb, of the home; his dear sister, Eleanor Brynes, of Boynton Beach; his daughter, Lauren Rosenberg, of Warwick; his son, Mitchell Brynes, of Bushnell, Florida; 9 grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by his dear daughter, Lisa Brynes.

Contributions may be made to Friends of Animals in Need, 105 Narragansett St., North Kingston, RI 02852 (AnimalsinneedRI.com) or the charity of your choice.