Howard C. Best, Jr., age 70, of Penn Yan, NY, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025 at FF Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, NY. Howard was born on June 7, 1955 in Penn Yan, NY to the late Howard C. and Rose May (Hand) Best, Jr. Howard is survived by his wife of 11 years, Tammi S. (Joseph) Best; stepchildren, Michael J. Casciani and Matthew S. Casciani, both of Penn Yan, NY; sisters, Helen Brown of Naples, NY, Mary Jane Budney of Penn Yan, NY, Joyce Carmel of Penn Yan, NY, Nancy Gayhart of Romulus, NY and Ann Griner of Penn Yan, NY; brothers, Harold Best of Potter, NY and Michael Best of Ocala, FL; along with nieces and nephews, Tanya Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Danielle Carmel (Kirsch), Samantha Carmel, Holly Carmel, Rose Gayhart, Brian Gayhart, Kathleen Gayhart, Christopher Best, Sarah Best, Donald Griner and Jonathan Griner. Howard is predeceased by his parents; and his siblings, Robert, Linda and Dorothy. Howard was an auto mechanic for 50 years before retiring in 2022, and was employed by Anderson Garage, Cornish Motors and Smith Chevrolet over the course of his career. He enjoyed all things related to cars, was a NASCAR enthusiast, and loved watching Westerns as a pastime. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Branchport Fire Department, 3686 State Route 54A, Branchport, NY. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Yates County, HSYC, PO Box 12, Penn Yan, NY 14527.