East Providence and Harvard Football Star and Business Leader Jeffrey Howkins Dies at 61
Perry-McStay Funeral Home
East Providence and Harvard Football Star and Business Leader Jeffrey Howkins Dies at 61
Jeff was a beloved son, husband, father, and friend, as well as a community and business icon, passed away on June 20, 2024, in Tampa, FL. Jeff fought a long, admirable, and surprisingly successful battle with Parkinson’s, and a brief bout with cancer. Born in East Providence, RI, Jeff was the son of Lionel Howkins, a distinguished World War II, Iwo Jima veteran, and loving mother Barbara Howkins, parents who laid the foundation for his amazing life.
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Jeff graduated from East Providence High School in 1980. He was an exceptional student-athlete in football, track, and baseball and is a member of the East Providence High School Hall of Fame. Jeff attended Harvard University, where he was a key member of the football team before graduating in 1984 with a degree in History. In his senior year Jeff was one of the team’s standouts, helping lead Harvard to an Ivy League Championship (and a win over Yale in the 100th anniversary of that legendary rivalry). Jeff’s roommate, and Harvard Football Team Captain, Joe Azelby, said, “Jeff was an enormous part of our team’s success. In addition to his natural talents, his work ethic and selfless commitment to his teammates were much admired. He was so tough that there were some opposing teams that would often run plays to purposely stay away from his side of the field.”
Upon graduating, Jeff took a job with Raytheon as a private sector liaison responsible for assisting the Command of the US Navy’s Nuclear Submarine fleets. He retained top-secret government clearance allowing him to work on many critical and classified projects, including the early Patriot Missile Program. Jeff also held various additional key roles within the defense and aerospace industry, including positions at EG & G, Unidyne, and Purvis.
Jeff transitioned into the financial services industry and completed his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began his financial services career at Fleet bank which eventually lead to his appointment as Chief Information Officer at Mellon Institutional Asset Management and as Chief Risk Officer at Old Mutual Asset Management. He then became Chief Operating Officer of UPromise Investments, an innovative enterprise that helped millions of Americans secure tax-exempt savings for their children’s college education. In this role, Jeff helped to expand the business while simultaneously overseeing the first sale of the company – an accomplishment he would later achieve on two additional occasions (resulting in a name change to Ascensus College Savings). He was named President and eventually CEO, a position he held from 2009 to 2019. Under Jeff’s leadership, Ascensus grew their college savings assets from $25 billion to $126 billion at the time of his retirement. Today, over 7 million students in 38 states are better able to afford college thanks to this program.
While Jeff was proud to provide assistance to all families enrolled across the country, he often said one of his greatest accomplishments was when the State Employees of Rhode Island entrusted him to oversee their $7 billion investment. Given his love for his home state and dedication to making college affordable to its residents, this achievement held a special place in his heart.
Jeff’s desire to help students began well before his leadership roles within the financial services industry. In the early 2000’s, he served as the President of the Harvard Club of Rhode Island where he worked in close conjunction with the University’s admissions office, interviewing and recommending students from within the state’s borders. In addition to his admissions assistance, Jeff also took it upon himself to help those already enrolled. While at UPromise and Ascensus, he expanded the company’s paid internship program, hiring deserving athletes on the Harvard football team in an effort not only to mentor, but in order to ensure that they could afford to live in Boston and attend their summer workouts – a luxury he couldn’t afford while shoveling asphalt at the terminals in Providence during his own college years.
True to Jeff’s unassuming nature, most of those around him were unaware of his accomplishments. They knew him as the sports coach, volunteer, and dedicated father prepared to help his children and the community in any way he could. Jeff’s family and friends lovingly called him “Big J”, “Howk” or “Howky”, nicknames that were soon adopted by anyone lucky enough to be in his circle. He was the first to any party or event, and while his presence was typically quiet, he became infamous for his quick wit and one-liners. He was incredibly loyal and supportive, always staying in touch and offering help at a moment’s notice.
Jeff retired to his winter home in Marco Island, FL, in 2019, where he enjoyed discovering new sand bars on his boat, engaging friends in conversation, playing trivia with his family, and exercising daily. Although Jeff was no longer on the field, he continued his passion for staying active by boxing at his “Rock Steady” Parkinson’s program, hitting the gym, and playing pickleball and pool volleyball with his wife, children and friends. He will forever be remembered as a near-permanent fixture at his local Marco Island YMCA. Despite staying active, he would never say no to a trip to the ice cream shop or a local happy hour at the Tiki-Bar for an occasional Mai-tai.
Jeff also took particular pride in writing. Before his passing, he completed an autobiography documenting his trials and tribulations in the corporate world, and was making headway on a biographical account of his father’s experience in the Pacific Theater during WWII – a book for which he gathered information and artifacts over the past decade.
Of all of his accomplishments, the one that mattered most to Jeff was his marriage to his wife, Diane, whose unconditional love, support, and partnership gave him the courage and direction to weather any storm. Jeff and Diane grew up on the same small street in East Providence and were not only husband and wife, but life-long friends. Together they raised three children and shared a loving marriage for over 36 years.
“He was a true giant both in stature and in his ability to impact those around him. His legacy will continue on in all of the lives that he touched during his 61 years, and he will be remembered by his countless friends who will forever cherish his memory.” – The Howkins Children
His Funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 9 A.M. from the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in St. Luke’s Church, 108 Washington Rd, Barrington, RI. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. Calling Hours will be on Monday, July 1, 2024 from 4-7 P.M..
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to local programs that supported Jeff through his fight with Parkinson’s and cancer.
Hope Lodge Tampa
Donation’s to be dedicated in Jeffrey’s name
Rock Steady Parkinson’s Program