Howard A. Pelkey, Sr. 71, of 24B River Street died Tuesday in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester after being stricken ill at home. He leaves his wife of 47 years, Angelina M. (Guenette) Pelkey; two sons, George A. Pelkey of Oxford, and Howard A. Pelkey, Jr. of Wheelwight; a daughter, Rita M. Bernard of Millbury; two brothers, Lester Pelkey of Shrewsbury and Richard Pelkey of Portland, CT; three sisters, Theda Poisson and Lucille Christanko of Cumberland, RI, and Verna Joslin of Falmouth; six grandchildren; nephews and nieces. He was born in Websterville, VT, son of Wilmer and Florence (Trudell) Pelkey, before moving here in 1974.

Mr. Pelkey was a truck driver for Bayer and Mingolla Construction Co for 22 years, retiring in 1975.

He gradutated from Holy Name High School in Worceter. He was an Army veteran of World War II, servng in theAsiatic-Pacific theater. He received a campaign ribbon and the Victory and Good Conduct medals.

He was a member of the Lionel Railroaders Club.

Funeral services will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday April 24, 1993 in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main Street. Burial willl be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.  Calling hours at the funeral home are 6-9 p.m. tomorrow, April 23. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 23 Midstate Drive, SUite 225, Auburn, MA 01501