Westbrook – Howard W. Olmstead was a beloved Dadda, husband, brother, son-in-law, family member, and friend.  He passed Friday evening, September 28th. Howie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 1947.  At a young age, his parents moved from Philadelphia to a new house they built in the suburb of Croydon, Pennsylvania.  When Howie was fourteen, the family moved to Peabody, Massachusetts.  Following graduation from Peabody High School, he was a partner with a drag-racing car where they competed on many raceways in the Northeast.  In 1983, Howie moved to Maine where he met his future wife and together raised their family in Westbrook. Howie loved to work with his hands and spent his years of employment in various manufacturing positions.  At home he would spend time in the basement where he tweaked motors, worked with wood, and listened to the radio.  He oversaw the family garden, helped to manage the wood lot, was proud of his extensive lawn, and learned that he was a country boy at heart. But Howie's true passion was family.  He never missed attending the music performances played by his daughter Emily and her friends as they performed and competed in the various Westbrook and UNH concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, and All-State bands.  Howie was a proud father, and embraced his growing family of Emily's friends. Howie is predeceased by his parents, Joan & Garfield Olmstead of Gray.  He leaves his wife Beth, daughter Emily (of Westbrook) and her boyfriend Christopher McGonagle (of Portland); brother Bill (of West Gray) with wife Cindi and nieces Alison and Katie; mother-in-law June Paulsen of Westbrook; Aunt Edith DeBold of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and his loved-like-a-brother Charles Maihos of Hamilton, Massachusetts.   We and your extended family of cousins and friends miss you.  Having you in our lives has made us all the better. A celebration of Howie's life will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook on Stroudwater Street on October 13th at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are by the Blais & Hay Funeral Home 35 Church St. Westbrook. To view online condolences go to; blaisandhayfuneralhome.com The family sends its heartfelt appreciation to the fine folks at Maine Medical Center for their excellent care and skills and compassion. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Westbrook Music Boosters at P.O. Box 1119, Westbrook, ME 04092.