BERCHTOLD, HOWARD H. SR. 82 – of Galloway Township, passed away suddenly at home on Saturday, March 17, 2012. He was born in Egg Harbor City to Albert J. and Josephine (Kuehner) Berchtold on March 18, 1929. He graduated from Egg Harbor (City) High School in 1946 and began a long-time career with the Egg Harbor City Trust Company and its successor banks. During his 31 year association with the Trust Company he worked his way from a File Clerk/Bookkeeper up to Assistant Vice President. While working at the bank, Howard met and wed his wife of 58 years, Dorothy F. Merkord. Shortly after their wedding in 1953, Howard and Dorothy settled in the South Egg Harbor section of the Township, where they lived until his passing. Howard was a Life Member of the South Egg Harbor Vol. Fire Co. #5 holding various administrative and line officer positions. As a member of the fire company he was able to pursue his love of fire apparatus design. He was also a long-time member of the Atlantic County Fire Fighters' Association where he was instrumental in the establishment of the County's first field radio communications unit. Howard also served many years as the Secretary of the Galloway Twp Fire Fighters' Relief Association. Howard learned the plumbing trade from his dad as a child and continued to enjoy plumbing and being a self taught handy-man for the rest of his life, lending a helping hand to any neighbor in need. Howard also demonstrated his love of music as a member of the Hap's Spotlight String Band, playing the string guitar, and continuing to enjoy singing for years to come. He was also a life-long parishioner of the St. Nicholas Church in Egg Harbor City where he was a member of the St. Nicholas Beneficial Society. Howard is predeceased by his parents and stepmother Anna (Kertz) Berchtold. Surviving are his wife Dorothy (Merkord) Berchtold, daughter and husband Donna and Thomas Brodo of Holliston, MA, son and wife Howard and Donna Marie Berchtold of South Egg Harbor, and son and wife Brian and Mary Berchtold of Clayton, DE. Howard is also survived by grandsons Matthew and Michael Brodo, granddaughters Lauren and Heather Berchtold, and granddaughters Caitlin and Casey Berchtold. He is also survived by sister and husband Nancy and Hilary Bell of Northfield, brother and wife Albert and Bonnie Berchtold of Port St. Lucie, FL, and sister and husband Ann and Richard Stevens of Palm Harbor, FL. He is pre-deceased by brother Rev. Walter Berchtold and sister Phyllis (Berchtold) Baker.