In Memory . . . Grant F. Haskell (1915-2010)

The Reverend Grant F. Haskell died on March 3, 2010, at the St. Paul’s Nursing Home in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He was 94 years old.

Rev. Haskell was born on July 14, 1915, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Frederic W. Haskell and Helen (Haskell) Haskell. He attended Crane Theological School of Tufts College in Medford, Massachusetts and graduated from Canton Theological School of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York in 1942. He was ordained in January 1943 by the Unitarian Association at the Unitarian Church in Milford, New Hampshire where he served until 1945.

In addition to serving in Milford, New Hampshire, Rev. Haskell was called to the following churches: the First Congregational Unitarian Church in Littleton, Massachusetts; the Universalist Church in Biddeford, Maine; the Universalist Church of Medford, Massachusetts; and Community Unitarian Church in White Plains, New York.

During several summers in the 1940’s, Rev. Haskell with his wife, Betty Haskell, directed youth work camps for the Unitarian Service Committee. He was active with the Red Cross and with the Red Feather campaign which raised funds for community organizations during and after World War II. He also taught and called square dancing at the All Star Family Conference at Star Island in the 1950’s.

After he left the full-time ministry, Rev. Haskell worked as Youth and Camping Director for the YMCA in Watertown and Elmira, New York and as Executive Director of the YMCA in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In semi-retirement he drove a school bus for 10 years, mostly so he could be around the children. He helped start the BuxMont UU Fellowship in Warrington, Pennsylvania and a second Fellowship near his home in Leesburg, Florida. There he continued his ministry by performing marriages, christenings, and funerals.

Rev. Haskell loved camping, working with kids and teenagers, and fixing things around the house. In addition to his wife, Betty Haskell of Clifton Springs, New York, he is survived by two sons, Richard A. Haskell of Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Jonathan F. Haskell of Newark, New York.; a daughter, Beth M. Haskell of Brook lyn, New York; two sisters, Helen Gately of California and Barbara Lampey of Knoxville, Tennessee.; and his grandsons, Kenneth Haskell of Brooklyn, New York, and Grant W. Haskell of Baltimore, Maryland.

A private memorial service is being planned. Contributions to honor the life of Rev. Haskell may be made to the Unitarian Univer salist Service Committee, P.O. Box 845259, Boston, MA 02284 or online at www.uusc.org. Please send notes of condolence to Elizabeth Haskell, 226 Ashton Court, Clifton Springs, NY 14432.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *