Durham-Howard D. Margerison, 85, of Durham, passed away peacefully at his home, after a long illness on December 17, 2023.

He was born on April 15, 1938 in Bloomington, California the son of Mary Thelma (Shadwick) and Harold Margerison.

After High School Howard worked various jobs to put himself through college, receiving his bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering.  He went into the construction field and spent the next sixty years, starting as a boilermaker and working up to a project manager for multi million dollar building projects.

His love and passion for aviation never left him during his working career.  He soloed his first aircraft in 1963 and owned many aircraft throughout his life.  He even carved out his own airstrip in his backyard in Durham so he could take to the skies at his convenience.

Howard loved his family and particularly enjoyed Sunday family dinners and special occasions with family.  After retirement he and his wife spent twenty three winters in Florida.

Howard was a longtime member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He loved participating in the Young Eagles Program, where he would take children flying in his plane to introduce them to the wonder of flight.

Howard was predeceased by his parents, sister Betty-Jean Ardito and a daughter Cheryl Galarneau.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Eleanor (Serafino) Margerison of Durham, daughter Tammy Schumacher and husband Edward of Topsham, son Jeffrey Margerison and wife Lisa of Durham, daughter Andrea Kincer and husband Chuck of Richmond, sister Arlene Oliver of Tennessee, brother Roger Margerison and wife Susan of California, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will take place on July 13, 2024 at 1pm at the Margerison homestead.

In his memory donations may be made to an EAA chapter, Young Eagles chapter or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.