HADLEY, Maurice Arthur Howe, age 86, passed away on August 1, 2014 at the Elaine Center for Rehabilitation in Hadley, MA with family by his side.

Maurice was born on November 5, 1927 the third son of James and Frances Howe of Cottesloe, Western Australia. He received a B.A. from University of Western Australia, a M.A. with Honors from University of Melbourne, and EdD from the University of Massachusetts.  

During his career in Australia, he was the Chief Psychologist for the Department of Labor, Head of the Department of Psychology, then Dean for Swinburne Institute of Technology.  He was a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Human Resources Institute, and the Institute of Personnel Management. 

His program, Developing Helping Skills, was taught for 20 years in his native country as well as Britain and the United States.   Maurice believed in the importance of teaching interpersonal skills that would enhance all work places.  In retirement, he ran Education Australia, a student exchange program and the Creative Connection, an extension of his skills for life teaching. He also taught in local colleges part time.

An avid world traveler, he met his second wife Frances in 1981 while on sabbatical. Together they made an international family.  

Maurice was a member of Amherst Rotary for 19 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow for service to the community and the Rotary Club.  As a member of the Legends Amherst Golf Club he enjoyed many years of golf and companionship with friends, always ready for a game.

Growing up at the beach informed Maurice’s pleasure for swimming, body surfing and, spear fishing. He enjoyed jazz, dancing, gardening, painting, writing poetry, stamp collecting and The RED SOX and movies. He embraced new experiences such as building his own mud brick house and travel. He had a unique perspective on life and a wry sense of humor.

He loved his country and even though he eventually became a U.S. Citizen it was only done while retaining his Australian Citizenship.  In the past year he published his memoir of formative stories from his Australian life.

Predeceased are his brothers Lyle, and John and his eldest son Peter.  He is survived by his son Steve Howe and his wife Mary, their children Megan, Kitty and her husband James vanCuylenberg, his great-granddaughter Emmeline, his daughter Mandy Howe and her two children Bridget and Charley his grandson Thomas Kempster and mother Lisa all of Australia.  In the United States he is survived by his wife Frances of 32 years, his stepson, Jason Todd and wife Jessie, their children Malcolm, and Stella and stepdaughter Sara Todd Gooch, husband Jason, and their children, Hazel and Simon.

A celebration of life service will be held at South Congregational Church of Amherst on Friday, Aug. 8, at 11:00 a.m.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Amherst Scholarship Fund PO Box 542 Amherst, MA. 01004 Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.