Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Hax Obituary
I'm John Hax and apparently I just died. Details below.
I was born in Waterbury, CT, in 1937 to Helen and Howard Hax, who soon learned I was a strange little boy they struggled to understand. But they and my older sister, Carolyn, gave me all the love and support a kid could want.
I was tested in kindergarten and declared a genius. Parents beamed, I beamed. My stunning lack of distinction in grade school, though, finally revealed that I was ordinary. I still tested well, so the SATs opened the door to Cornell--and to more spectacular failure. I was sent home after my junior year. My parents' love and faith stayed rock steady, though, and Cornell took me back! There I met Lizzy O'Connell. I was instantly and completely in love. It lasted 42 years until ALS took her in 2002.
Thanks to Lizzie, I graduated, became a Marine Corps captain, a helicopter pilot, a decorated combat veteran (DFC, Purple Heart, many air medals), and a holder of some big responsibilities at Sikorsky Aircraft. Her confidence in me was total and mine in myself grew to match. Why did she agree to that first date, I would ask her. Her answer never changed: She saw something. What, I hadn't a clue.
Our family was our--mostly Lizzy's--proudest achievement: Katy (1962), Debby (1963), Betsy (1964) and Carolyn (1966); I was in Vietnam in 1965. Lizzy knew only four of the nine grand- and great-grandkids.
Half of me died in 2002 with Lizzy but the other half had work to do, mostly for the ALS Association with Andy Byrne, who also saw something in me, though she's not talking, either. Her powers were life-saving--emphasis "were." Goodbye and thank you to friends and neighbors who kept me together during my years alone, and to my comrades in arms from 1963 to 1965, HMM 163. Semper Fi.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Hax
Dale T. Parry
September 14, 2024
My dad served with John in HMM-163 SEMPER FI from
Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Dale T. Parry
K T Mao Cornell Sigma Pi Class 1963
September 22, 2023
My sincerest condolences to John's four daughters. I knew your father who we had affectionately knew him as Haxie at our fraternity Sigma Pi at Cornell. Here is one of my treasured photos taken at one of many fraternity's parties, with Haxie & Liz dancing. He was an upperclassman in mechanical engineering [ME] and the only one already married, with babies living off campus but still coming around the House at most of the social functions. He together with his ME class mates, Charlie Hawks and Dick Paulson were ones that as a underclass man [1959-1965] looked up to. My hats off to all of them.
K. T. Mao Cornell Class of 1963.
Sac '80
September 20, 2023
While I didn't have the honor of knowing John, reading his words as a fellow Pi-man made it easy to picture him at the Pi-House enjoying the camaraderie of his brothers, as we all did and still do to this day. We'll miss you brother.
Michael Milne
August 11, 2023
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Hax. After reading the obituary, I feel that I did indeed miss a great man.
My sincere condolences to his family.
My gratitude for his service.
Terry Donahue
August 11, 2023
I met John in 1968 when I transferred to Sikorsky from Norden. We were both in a group called Operations Analysis in the Advanced Design Branch of the Engineering Department. We were work mates and, more importantly, friends for the next 55 years. Our paths at Sikorsky diverged but we still kept in touch. He with four daughters and me with seven sons had a lot of family stories to share. I was honored to have been invited by the family to John's backyard birthday parties where I saw the awesome interaction between him and his siblings, children and grandchildren. I never saw an obituary written in the first person, singular until now! A unique testimony to a unique life, by a unique person. I miss you John.
Barbara Stickle
August 10, 2023
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Liz was a high school friend, and Carolyn was a competitive swimmer against my kids during their school years. John was a great husband, father and a generous care giver.
Estelle Bednarz
August 10, 2023
I am a stranger to the family of this man. I almost never read obituaries or of people I don't know. For some reason I read this one. I guess it was the opening lines. I plan on writing my obit too. I'm so glad I read on. Such a love these 2 had. I could feel his emotion. I lost my love of more than 50 years. It never stops hurting. ALS took her body but not her love for him.
They continue their first date now.
The Orleans Firebirds
August 10, 2023
The Orleans Firebirds offer our deepest condolences to the family of John Hax. John was a very loyal fan and supporter of the team and we will greatly miss him.
janice miko
August 10, 2023
I had been walking my corgi most mornings for the past few years and met your Dad early on making his way to collect his newspaper. He introduced himself to me that day, and I felt like a friend to him from then on. I always looked for a light on in his dining room when I passed. To a life well lived, I am so grateful to have been a small part of .... Janice and " Lucky"
Mike Baxter
August 10, 2023
John's obituary was brilliant, just like John. My wife & I knew John all our Sikorsky years and treasure the memories of both of them. There was never a steadier hand on the tiller than John and his contributions to the company, it's people & the community will live in many hearts forever. The Hax family has been blessed by his life.
David Sembiante
August 10, 2023
Points of inflection are rare in life, and I was lucky in life to have had John Hax serve as one of those points in my life journey. Reading John's obituary I found the answer as to why John had taken an interest in me. He valued the effort others had taken to "see something in him". In vintage Hax style he "saw something in me", paid it forward, and helped me to a wonderful and rewarding career when I was heading for spectacular failure. How illuminating to read John's parting message.
I have kept in touch with John on an approximate annual basis, always expressing my gratitude for what he had done for my life. When we last spoke John let me know how much he valued those expressions of appreciation.
A while back I ran into John in a restaurant. I saw him gazing out the window, alone. Probably thinking of Liz I thought to myself. I approached John, greeted him, asked what he was up to. "Contemplating how much helmet laws suck." John indicated he may purchase a Tee Shirt expressing his displeasure with the legislation. Such wonderful humor, so intelligent, so adroit. Never knew if I sent the right size "Helmet Laws Suck" T-shirt to his home.
I loved John Hax and I will be forever grateful for how he impacted my life. Never would I be able to repay John, but I try, and have tried, to help others as did John, especially mentoring young engineers.
Let me know what Lizzy thinks of the T.
Peace now my dear friend . . .
Semper Fi.
A Paratroopers Daughter
August 9, 2023
To The Hax Family,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your Dad. I did not know him. I want to thank him for his service to our country (My Dad was a WWII Paratrooper).
Cherish the memories you shared; he will live on through you. He is at peace now. I hope you find comfort in knowing he is Heavens Garden with his beloved wife Lizzy.
With My Deepest Sympathy,
LEP
August 8, 2023
Semper Fi.. SIR and God Speed
Kathy Cira
August 8, 2023
John was so important to me both personally and professionally. I cherish the times we spent working together at Sikorsky. He was a mentor and constant source of encouragement. I haven't reached out to him recently and am so happy I did get to see him last September.
Much love to Katy, Debbie, Becky and Carolyn. You certainly have been pleased with exceptional parents.
Kathy Cira
Thomas Noonan
August 8, 2023
Never met the man, till now. Whoever wrote one of the best obits I ever read obviously loved him, and also was wide awake in high school English class. A great man, will be missed. RIP, gyrene.
Steve Walker
August 7, 2023
What a great life lived and now for history.
Mr. Hax was quite the imposing fellow to seek a daughter's hand.
Later, "Pops" would deliver his impositions with weekly written updates of travels and foibles and general goings on, which we devoured and somehow grew to anticipate. This was early blogging you see. And his personal versions of "The Night Before Christmas" capped off the year with glorious pun and enough corn to fill our laughing bellies.
While we clashed on many of the day's topics or the reasons for Patriots football successes, I always knew when to stop...cause he said to!
While I experienced a small snippet of his life, he left a mark in me and my children.
He will be missed but continue to wrinkle eyes in comic fashion and thoughtful suggestion.
Goodbye Mr. Hax.
Thomas L. Kanasky, Jr. Col. USMC(ret)
August 7, 2023
Semper Fidelis
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
Make a Donation
in John Hax's name
Memorial Events
for John Hax
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Hax's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
