Howard Joseph Algeo, age 70 of Collegeville, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2025 after a brief battle with heart disease and a lifelong struggle with all the miserable ingrates of Montgomery, Bucks, and Berks County, PA.
Born at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia on October 22nd, 1954 to the late James and Theresa Algeo, Howard spent his early years in Ambler before the family relocated to Perkasie. As a child, he cultivated an enthusiasm for Marvel Comics and the Philadelphia Phillies which made his see the world like a colorful sports game.
At Pennridge High School, Howard secured immense privileges, accolades, and responsibilities as both the Senior Class President and the Captain of the Boy's Varsity Tennis team. He often boasted of setting the record for the district's Longest Regional Competition tennis match, a record that is unbroken to this very day. (Never mind that the district rules were amended to prevent matches from running that long in the future.)
In his freshman year at Duquesne University, Howard humbly ran for King of the Student Council, (a non-existent rank within the council). He picked his staff of jesters, knights and minions, but he was lacking an appropriate running mate to be his Queen. He ordered a Ball to be held on his birthday, which is where he met Lady Fay Ann Conway, a young co-ed from Pepper Pike, Ohio, who The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Society page once described as "an ardent horsewoman" while reporting on a fall from a horse that resulted in a broken shoulder.
During their 7-year courtship, Howard became acquainted with Fay's family and the family business: Conway Cadillac, a car dealership in the prestigious suburbs on the east side of Cleveland. Looking forward to that dowry, he and Fay married in Cleveland on August 18th, 1979. They raised 3 children in their homes in Philadelphia, Michigan, and finally Gilbertsville, PA.
As the first person outside of New Jersey to idolize Bruce Springsteen, Howard was a devoted cultural ambassador for music's transformative power. Whether sharing Beach Boys anecdotes at Thanksgiving, Van Morrison stories during doctor visits, or Bob Dylan tales on road trips, everyone knew how much Howard valued music and his earnest (some say aggressive) desire to share that appreciation.
After earning his MBA from The University of Michigan in 1988, Howard spent 40-plus years in the home healthcare industry, helping guide patients and practitioners through personal decisions. He took great pride in his final role with Seniors Helping Seniors, assisting his own generational cohort with healthcare needs.
During his most recent years, Howard honed his obvious and well-known comedic talent through stand-up comedy, developing skills at DCP Theatre in Telford and performing at open mics throughout Philadelphia. His comedy career reached its zenith when on Friday, August 29th, 2025, he joked with his doctor about having enough retirement money as long as he died by next Tuesday. Then, totally committed to the bit, he actually died the very next Tuesday. This dedication to comedy earned him the W.C. Fields Society's Horizon Award* and recognition as, without doubt, one of America's comics.
( *The W.C. Field Society was founded by Howard J. Algeo himself. )
Howard would humbly describe himself as "simply a boy with a dream." Blessed with personal, professional and creative success, he brought many dreams to life while fostering the dreams of his 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 4 brothers, 2 sisters and 1 wife, who must now contemplate life without his warm, welcoming but sarcastic spirit.
One dream remained unfulfilled: visiting all 50 US State Capitals. Fay is contemplating her new life in an RV to complete the "Capitals Tour". However, Howard's decision to be cremated means his ashes can travel wherever family and friends choose. Please see the concierge after the funeral service to get a souvenir bag of his ashes, so he can travel with you and possibly be scattered over beloved places like Perkasie, PA, Sandusky, Oh, the Pocono Mountains, or Down the Shore.
We thank you for being one of Howard's loved ones. There will be no other like him.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents, James and Theresa Algeo; dog, Lucy.
Howard is survived by his wife, Fay (Conway) Algeo; son, Robert Algeo and Courtney (Davison) Algeo; daughter, Susan Algeo and Matt Colson; daughter Nora (Algeo) Trabin and Benjamin Trabin; grandchildren, Orion Algeo, Lila Algeo, Cecilia Trabin, Ronald Trabin, Stuart Trabin, Leonard Trabin and Susan Trabin; siblings, James Algeo and Suzanne, Ann Algeo and late Randy Jones, Thomas Algeo and Louise, Stephen Algeo and Bonnie, Joan (Algeo) Wilson and James, Matthew Algeo and Allyson; in-laws, Timothy Conway and Maryellen, Nora Conway and Duane Watters, Sally Schroeder and Ralph, late William Conway and Lesly, Mary Ellen Eidem and Robert; nieces and nephews, Faris, James, Megan, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Michelle, Samuel, Zaya, Meghan, Rebecca, Daniel, Heather, Alyssa, and Curtis.
Services will held Tuesday September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ltd., 329 N. Lewis Rd., Royersford, PA 19468 Visitation hours 9:00-10:45 AM at the funeral home with luncheon to follow after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the the DCP Theater in Telford, PA: https://www.dcptheatre.org/support