Haskell Lee Fitz-Simons

Haskell Fitz-Simons Obituary

Haskell Lee Fitz-Simons
August 1, 1948 - May 12, 2013
Raleigh
Haskell Fitz-Simons died Sunday, May 12 at UNC Memorial Hospital of complications resulting from lymphoma.
Haskell was the Artistic Director of the Raleigh Little Theatre for the last 30 years. It was a job that he dearly loved, and even though he dealt with a number of serious health issues recently, he always was insistent that, "The show must go on." Haskell had an outgoing and charismatic personality that radiated a wry sense of humor and a passion for his interests. His laugh was very distinctive, infectious and unforgettable, and his witty comments and clever expressions were legendary. Although primarily known for directorship at the RLT, he was equally involved in music and founded the well-known Oakwood Waits, in which he sang and arranged music for 29 years. Haskell's knowledge of all music genres, composers, conductors, and operas was as expansive as his knowledge of the theatre. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, where he sang in the choir. His extensive intellect on multiple subjects made him a much sought-after teammate in games of Trivial Pursuit. He was a voracious reader, and gifting him with any book that he had not read was always a holiday challenge. Haskell was a wonderful and loyal friend to many and a mentor to hundreds. His extended family of theatre and musical friends was huge. He had a positive and magical impact on everyone he met. His enthusiasm and encouragement helped launch and sustain many a career in the theatre.
Haskell was born on August 1, 1948 in Chapel Hill into a theatrical family but was the only one of four brothers who followed his mother and father, Foster and Marion Fitz-Simons, into the theatre business. He began his career as a teenager, playing different roles in "Unto These Hills" in Cherokee, NC with his parents and brothers. He also performed in "The Lost Colony" and frequently returned for reunions of cast members, including the gala 75th Anniversary of The Lost Colony in 2012. After receiving a degree in Directing and Theatre Management at UNC-Chapel Hill, Haskell worked with the Light Opera Company in Manhattan and did an apprenticeship at the Alley Theatre in Houston. After receiving an MFA in Theatre from UNC Chapel Hill in 1979, he taught for two years at Vance Granville Community College before accepting a teaching position to work as drama instructor at the University of Wisconsin at Superior. He accepted the position of Artistic Director of the Raleigh Little Theatre in 1983, a position he enthusiastically enjoyed for the rest of his life.
Haskell is survived by his beloved cat, Lola, his three brothers and their families, Sean and Ann Fitz-Simons, (Blain Fitz-Simons Morton), Gordon and Carolyn Fitz-Simons (Patrick Fitz-Simons) and Terence and Linda FitzSimons (Melissa FitzSimons Stankus, Jon Taylor FitzSimons). His extended family of lifelong friends includes Maggie Bunce, Eric Ellenburg, Homer Foil, David Jefferson Sorrells, Gail Hutchison, Jim Byrum, Dee and Chris Penven-Crew and many others who he would have considered to be part of his family.
His joyful spirit will be dearly missed by his family and friends but will live on in the lives and memories of everyone he touched. He has left us all feeling better just for him being a part of our lives.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at 4:00pm at St. Michael's Episcopal Church on Canterbury Road. Reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St. Raleigh, NC 27607 or The Wake County Animal Shelter, 820 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 or SafeHaven for Cats, 8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer from May 16 to May 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Haskell Fitz-Simons

14 Entries

June 1, 2013

I would like to extend my condolences to the family. Death is never something we get use to. But know during this time you are not alone. Our Creator promises better days ahead. He will give you the strength needed to get through this difficult time.

Anne Pontius

May 26, 2013

I am a better person for having known Haskell. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Rest in peace my friend from RLT.

Chris Crew

May 22, 2013

Eulogy for Haskell Lee Fitz-Simons
May 21, 2013

Who was my friend, Haskell?
He was a lover of language and laughter and carefully planned meals and long stints at the table with good friends and wine and honest and boisterous laughter.
And it was ALWAYS about the music.
How can I tell the story of the contribution this enormously talented man made to the arts in five short minutes?
I can't.
That part will come out in the coming weeks and months in places like Manteo, at the Raleigh Little Theatre, in Chapel Hill no doubt, and in the far hills of Cherokee. It will be told for the rest of our lives.

I'll try and tell you something about the contributions to the art of living
of Haskell the regular guy.

His brand of humor was quick, gentle and clever, only occasionally sharp, and never mean-spirited.
Toward the end of the last century he accepted a job in Wisconsin and left his beloved Tarheel state for the great white north. Of course, they found this gregarious, jolly young fellow something of an oddity—they suspected that he ate grits.
When pressed, he crafted an elaborate tale about the “grit bush” that grew only in certain parts of the south—it's about knee-high and has these hard round balls on it—a good sized one might be about as big as a softball—you grate that up with a box grater and that's where you get your grits. A big one will last a month or more.

He told me once about a call he got in 1982, after interviewing for the job of Artistic Director at RLT.
He got a call in Wisconsin from Sue-Tuck Briggs who said simply: “come hoooame boyee.”

In the early 80's, the Wisconsin Board of Tourism had printed up thousands of bumper stickers that said “Escape to Wisconsin.” After he got the call from Sue-Tuck, he went out and got two of those stickers and cut them up and re-assembled them to say “Wisconsin Escapee.” He plastered that on the back of his blue Toyota pickup, threw his gear in the back and came home to his beloved Tarheel state where he served as Artistic Director for 30 years; he directed, by some accounts, 175shows.

He brought out the best in thousands who donated and devoted their time to the Raleigh Little Theatre. He did the same for his friends.

He was my mentor in the field of personnel management and project management too. My state employers sent me to class to learn some things about leadership and I frequently used him as an example of “good management”. To him, success in leadership boiled down to two things:

If you would lead them, you have to first truly care about them and their experience.
And once you have induced them to follow your lead, remind them frequently: “Write it down, write it down. Write it down.”
It works.

Haskell loved the world's great music—Opera, Classical, Musical Theatre, but above all, he loved the simple part songs and shape note tunes and parlor songs that people used to get together and sing. Once for a beach trip with Eric, he took the time to put together a song book complete with illustrated cover.
In the early 80's he rounded up Dee and Maggie and John and a few other willing conspirators and launched the Oakwood Waits. For nearly 30 years, this circle of friends have joined in heart and voice to celebrate the joy and spirit of the Christmas season, twice making the journey to the nation's capital to entertain in the Ballroom at the White House. We've both thrilled and terrified children with big costumes and booming renditions of Santa Clause is Coming to Town—You BETTER watch out!
We've sung quietly at the bedside of the dying.
These were the times of our lives—the episodes and occasions and memories and quotes have become part of us.

I knew Haskell as a lover of good food, and a not-to-shabby cook. We ate some very nice meals in famous restaurants, but the best were the ones we put on ourselves. His Easter lamb was legendary.

We participated in a dinner club called Hightones for a decade or so and both charmed and challenged the palates of a dozen other friends who were lucky participants.
As the only member to make every meeting, I am qualified to report that at least two of the top ten meals (out of at least 50 lavish banquets) were taken at his table. He knew that you had to use plenty ah buttah.

His patience and skill and willingness to pitch in in the kitchen are reflected in his offer on two occasions to volunteer as sous chef for the Great Penven-Crew Ball Hang Feast.
More notable even than his skill is the fact that he agreed to do it more than once. Those who have arrived a few minutes early to the party perhaps know what I mean.
Ask my kids. I could make Gordon Ramsey cry.
And there was Haskell. Twice.

I also had the opportunity to know Haskell as a devoted and committed churchman. We sang together for many years in a local church and made great music. He stood by at the baptism of my children.
He recited the prayers, made confession and chanted the propers and responses in full command of the poetry. He took the recitation to a higher place.

He was famous for singing the dual role of Judas AND the wife of Pilot in one particular passion we performed regularly during Holy Week.

He was unflappable during the service, too. One Christmas Eve, he and I were singing some forgotten Tenor/Baritone Duet before a midnight service and members of the congregation kept knocking over hurricane globes shielding the candles at the ends of the pews.
Apparently, no one on the roping and greenery committee had any florist experience or just knew that you have to use a little piece of gum to secure the globes. The crashing globes didn't faze Haskell. Not one bit of it--he didn't even blink when one of the ushers came in and proceeded to sweep the shards off of the tile floor into a metal dust pan and dump them into metal trash basket.
I was ruined.
Haskell just sang louder and more fervently.

How does one eulogize a great friend in five short minutes?
One doesn't. That comes in our living in every day in Haskell's model of companionship, joy and passion.
This past Monday, exhausted after a round of chemo that didn't seem to me likely to do him any good, but might be instructive for others, Haskell
received another call saying “come home boy.”

As I moved among our friends in the following week, they were dazed. “It happened so quickly” was in their heart and on their lips. I was moved that Monday afternoon just before sunset by a great sense of his presence, not next to me, but in some other place and in the company of parted friends. I sensed laughter and music and maybe cocktails and a grill.
Many said they shared a similar experience.
To my friend, I said goodbye. Our last conversation was a plan for another meal and some good times and singing.

Those are yet to come; here with you, and later again with Haskell. I am sure that he has saved a seat in the big choir for us.
End

these are some words shared at a memorial service for one of Haskell's parents:
“You do look, my son, in a moved sort,
As if you were dismay'ed: BE CHEERFUL, SIR.

These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:

And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit SHALL desolve

And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind.

We are such stuff as dreams are made on,
And our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

Janice Lipson

May 21, 2013

Haskell, So many positives in my life happened at RLT and in your presence. I got to play in the orchestra pit and learn so many shows from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. I played in the Cinderella orchestra for 12 years. It was orchestrated for the friends of Suann Strickland by her boyfriend, then fiance, now husband, Charlie Anderson. I played shows there with my husband, Alan Lipson. I took my daughter to theater camp and productions at RLT. Your life has touched the lives thousands and your light will shine in those lives and in the lives of their children and grandchildren forever.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Haskell's family and the entire RLT family during this difficult time.
All our love,
Janice, Alan and Caroline LIpson

Jan

May 21, 2013

Haskell gave my son his first "adult" break in theatre. He was an awesome mentor, director, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

Julie Tomlin

May 21, 2013

Dear Fitz-Simons Clan and extended, but ever-close, family~

My much cherished memory of Haskell was at the 20th anniversary of his "Cindy" - Cinderella - at the Fletcher when, after receiving many deserved accolades, he descended the stage and came straight toward me giving me his large bear hug, like he knew I was the happiest, most emotional person in the entire theatre . . . I was!!

What an exceptional tribute in the N&O - it really captured who Haskell was, both as your family member and as a force in the artistic community. I have always felt a bond with Haskell, and I think maybe everyone does; he had that rare ability to make people feel comfortable, entertained and happy. What a great soul! What a larger-than-life fellow! He will be so missed by so many. I am glad that I knew him at Raleigh Little Theatre and gladder still that I knew him in the context of your family.
He was taken away much too soon but the impact he made on those around him and on the community are far and above that which most of us could even hope to aspire. We are incredibly blessed both to have known him and to have had his hand at the helm of our beloved community theatre. His legacy is the professional - an award-winning theatre - and
the personal - legions of friends and admirers!

A merry flame burned around him and ignited the hearts & souls of everyone nearby. Though we will continue to feel his loss, heaven is a brighter place! Thank you, bless you, Haskell . . . standing ovation!!

Dixie Griffith

May 18, 2013

"You will be remembered," forever in the hearts of all that loved you, and that would include everyone who knew you. I know you are singing in heaven with every choir member you've ever known. Love and peace.

Izzy Burger

May 18, 2013

Hey big guy,

Remember that time during "Ruthless" when we all laughed for, like, 45 minutes straight? Tim Locklear had tears streaming down his face and I think someone had to get up and breathe. I know I peed a little. The kids didn't get it, but they were in stitches because we were incapacitated. I can't remember what set us off, but that's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of you.

I guess I just wanted to let you know how much I love you. Thank you for your humor, compassion, and dedication to the arts. Thank you for laughing at my stupid jokes and listening to me whine about my body. Thank you for turning me onto Slings and Arrows, Cole Porter, and Kurt Weill. Thank you for showing me how to walk in heels.

I'll never forget you, Haskell. Thank you for being my friend.

I'll step aside now so the next one of your adoring fans can have their time with you.

May 17, 2013

Haskell was always very supportative of children and encouraging their interests in theater - He will be missed !!! Lyn Triplett

Karen McKinney Renner

May 17, 2013

I knew Haskell when I was a kid at Cherokee, working with my family for UTH. I wish I could have known him all these years since...

May 17, 2013

Gratitude and love always,
Diane

Madelyn Smoak

May 16, 2013

I think I met Haskell around 1972 when Betsy, the friend of a friend, became my housemate in Chapel Hill. Betsy's friends included the Bizzaros, whose motto was "everything in excess". Haskell was a ringleader in the group who were all UNC Drama students. Later I introduced Haskell to Folk Dancing and he became addicted. He took Jane Cox and me with him to Buffalo Gap Folk Dance Camp and we had other adventures as well. We lost touch when he was in Wisconsin and Houston, and never connected in quite the same way when he returned to the Triangle although we did see each other from time to time and it was always a joyous occasion.
I also remember spending time in Haskell's parents' house on McCauley St in 1964 or 65 because some friends were house-sitting, but Haskell was a teenager at the time and with his folks, not at home. They were probably in Cherokee with the outdoor drama.
He was one of the dearest and best, and will be much missed by all of us who had the pleasure of his company.

Phaedra Neely Hathaway

May 16, 2013

Know you will shine as brightly in heaven as you did here!

Sarah and John Whitty

May 16, 2013

Wonderful memories of Haskell as a young teen in "Unto These Hills" many years ago. In those younger days, he was a Gilbert and Sullivan fanatic. What a delight he was always. May he rest in love and peace.

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