Robert Haskins

1933 - 2015

Robert Alan Haskins

1933-2015 SAVOY Robert Alan Haskins, 82, formerly of New Jersey and Savoy, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2015. Born in Adams on April 4, 1933, Bob was the son of Robert A. Haskins and Katherine Young Haskins. He was a graduate of Adams High School and served four years in the Navy aboard the USS Midway. After his military service, he attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated in 1959 and taught history in Athol, MA, while working toward his Master's Degree in History, which he received in 1962. He moved to Verona, NJ and taught history at West Essex Regional High School in Caldwell, where he later became Vice Principal and from which he retired in 1984. Bob was an avid reader, writer and storyteller and was published in a book entitled; October Mountain: An Anthology of Berkshire Writers. Nicknamed by family members as the "Bard of Savoy", he will always be remembered for his witty and engaging "readings" shared around the bonfire at family gatherings in Savoy. Bob especially enjoyed spending time in the Berkshires, attending and organizing family reunions, and sipping a good manhattan or martini in the "shank of the evening" at the Farm. Bob had a special interest in history and studied the Haskins family genealogy for many years. Bob also had a longtime love of photography and captured many family memories throughout the years. From his early days as a boy listening to baseball games on the radio with his father, he became a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and was so thrilled to see them win a World Series in his lifetime that he made a special trip to see the Trophy. Bob loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, while regaling them with stories from the past. He leaves two daughters, Sheree L. Kelly of Montville, NJ and Pamela E. Ochab and her husband, Paul of Morris Plains, NJ. His son, Michael R. Haskins and wife, Kendra of Mobile, Alabama. Two sisters, Rosemary Smith of CT and Betty Haskins of Lee. Four grandchildren, Caroline Kelly, Dalton Ochab, Addison Ochab and Colin Haskins as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. Robert was predeceased by three brothers, Winslow, Douglas and Frederick Haskins as well as a sister, Marion Best. "We will miss you deeply but find comfort in knowing that you are reunited with those who have gone on before you. Until we meet again." FUNERAL NOTICE: A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 11a.m. at Bellevue Cemetery in Adams with the Rev. William D. Furey officiating. There are no calling hours. Following the service the celebration of life will continue with a reception at the family farmhouse on Haskins Road, Savoy, MA. The family suggests that memorials in his memory for those who wish may be made to the Mount Greylock Summit Restoration in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 which is handling arrangements.