BIO

A native of Cotuit, Howard Crosby “Howie” Bearse was a top notch running back for the BHS Red & White, and captained the 1950 team (as shown here in photo).

A three-time letterman in football, Howie was also an integral member of the Barnstable High School boys varsity baseball team, earning four letters in his high school career, playing for coach Charlie Howes.

He was a recipient of the prestigious Jean G. Hinkle Memorial Sportsmanship Award in his senior year.

He was an integral part of the 1947 Cotuit Kettleers in the team’s first season, playing centerfield and leading off in the batting order. He played for the Kettleers through 1952 before heading off to fight in the Korean War. Bearse was Cotuit’s leadoff man in those early years and was also deemed one of the best all-time lefthanders in Cotuit, if not Cape League, history. He signed a professional contract to play in the minor leagues for the Milwaukee Braves and played for one season in Class C ball.

He was a veteran of the US Army in the Korean War, worked as the manager of the Cotuit Grocery Store and later, E.E.C. Swifts Market in Osterville. He passed away at the age of 73 leaving his wife, Dorothy.