Editing C. D. Howe (section)

== Later life, death, and legacy ==
Howe returned to Ottawa after his defeat, cleared his office, and soon sold his house there, moving to Montreal.{{sfn|Harbron|1980|p=62}} After St. Laurent announced his retirement in September, Howe wrote to the former Prime Minister, "The young men of the party must take on the job of reorganising and rebuilding, and perhaps the sooner they get at it the better."{{sfn|Thomson|1967|pp=525–526}} While publicly taking no position, Howe privately supported former [[Secretary of State for External Affairs|External Affairs Minister]] Pearson for the Liberal leadership, and Pearson won the contest in January 1958. Howe advised Pearson not to take any action that might provoke an election. Pearson did not heed Howe and challenged Diefenbaker as soon as Parliament met. The [[1958 Canadian federal election|election on 31 March]] returned the Progressive Conservatives in a record landslide, which left the Liberals with 48&nbsp;seats. Howe, who took no part in the campaign, had already left for Europe with his wife, Alice, on an extended holiday.{{sfn|Bothwell|Kilbourn|1979|pp=336–338}} On his return, he did what he could to help rebuild the Liberal Party after the disaster, assisting with fundraising and seeking to unite factions within the party.{{sfn|Bothwell|Kilbourn|1979|p=338}}

After some hesitancy that was likely caused by fears the newly empowered Tories would resent any approach to their longtime enemy, major corporations began to approach Howe and ask for him to serve on their boards of directors.{{sfn|Bothwell|Kilbourn|1979|pp=338–339}} In 1958, Howe was made [[chancellor (education)|chancellor]] of [[Dalhousie University]]. On investigating the university's finances, he found that a professor's salary in 1958 had less buying power than when he had worked there. Howe urged increased salaries and building improvements to attract first-rate scholars to the university. He also accepted a number of honorary degrees from other universities.{{sfn|Bothwell|Kilbourn|1979|pp=342–344}}

Howe had a longtime heart condition, and friends urged him to give up all boards that did not meet in Montreal. Before he could act on this suggestion, Howe suffered a heart attack and died at his home on 31 December 1960.{{sfn|Bothwell|Kilbourn|1979|pp=346–347}}{{sfn|''Ottawa Citizen''|3 January 1961}}

Prime Minister Diefenbaker said after Howe died, "We often had strong differences but our personal relations remained most friendly at all times&nbsp;... He gave his great ability, indomitable courage and energy to his country in a manner that has earned for him and will assure him of a large place in the history of Canada's war effort."{{sfn|''Ottawa Citizen''|3 January 1961}} Opposition Leader Pearson stated, "He was a man who shirked no duty, faltered in no task, was daunted by no obstacle. He got things done, and they were good things for the country he served so well and so long."{{sfn|''Ottawa Citizen''|3 January 1961}} At his memorial service, enemies and friend alike gathered. Among the eulogies delivered by friends and colleagues at [[Christ Church Cathedral (Montreal)|Christ Church Cathedral]] in Montreal, it was remarked that Howe often stated proudly that he was "an American by birth but Canadian by choice".{{sfn|Pigott|2001|p=417}}

Howe had five children:<ref>[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/remembering/obituary.aspx] {{dead link|date=July 2022}}</ref>

* William (Bill) Hastings Howe<ref>{{cite web | url=https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/277373/hon-c-d-howes-son-marries-susan-ann-kenny-of-wide-inter | title=Hon. C. D. Howe's son marries Susan Ann Kenny. Of wide interest was the marriage on Monday of Miss Susan Ann Kenny. Daughter of Mr. And MRS. R. M. Ken(...) }}</ref>
* John Howe
* Barbara Stewart Marshall
* Mary Dodge
* Elisabeth Howe Stedman