Robert T. Hale

HALE, ROBERT T., HIGHLY RESPECTED FAMILY MAN, ENTREPRENEUR, BUSINESS LEADER, AND PHILANTHROPIST. 69, of Westport Harbor, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida died Friday, February 29, 2008 surrounded by his loving family at Naples Community Hospital.

He was the husband of Judith (Bryant) Hale to whom he had been married for the past 46 years.

Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Florence A. Turnbull. After spending many years in Northampton, MA, he resided in Westport Harbor and wintered in Naples.

Mr. Hale was a graduate of Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham, MA and a campus leader at Tufts University in Medford, MA from which he graduated in 1959. He served in the Indianapolis National Guard from 1962 to 1965.

His career in business was filled with numerous entrepreneurial successes. It began at the age of 28 when he acquired and operated Hampshire Bookshop in Northampton, MA. After selling the bookshop, he founded Hampshire Imports which was the exclusive importer of Laura Ashley to the United States as well as Hampshire Marketing Systems, a successful paper wares business he also operated for years until its successful sale. He then, along with his son, founded Network Plus, a national telecom firm, where he served as Chairman of the Board and oversaw a successful IPO of the business. The last company he founded, again with his son, is Granite Telecommunications which is headquartered in Quincy and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States and currently employs over 600 people, 550 of whom reside in Massachusetts. Mr. Hale served as Granite's Chairman of the Board at the time of his passing.

For fourteen years he was a member of the Board of Directors of Comptel, the national trade organization for competitive telephony, and served for several years as its chairman. He also served on the board of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation in Boston, and was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edwards Church in Northampton, MA.

He supported numerous philanthropic causes. With his wife, Judy, they funded the Hale Learning Center at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. He and Judy also started the Hale Pancreatic Research Foundation at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. He was also an avid supporter of the Massachusetts Soldier Legacy Fund, Wilbraham Academy, Tufts University, Wellesley College, and the Westport, MA Land Trust.

He was a member of the Acoaxet Club in Westport Harbor serving on its Board of Governors for a number of years and as membership chairman for the past 10 years. He also belonged to the Spindle Rock Club and Elephant Rock Beach Club, all in Westport Harbor, MA. In Naples, FL he was a member of the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club and The Club at Pelican Bay. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf and the time it allowed him to spend with his buddies. He befriended everyone he met and treasured every friendship dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife Judy and their two children. His son Rob lives in Hingham, MA with his wife Karen and their children Trevor, Tommy, and Brett. His daughter Beth lives in Westwood, MA with her husband Rich and their children Richie, Jack, and Caroline.

His Service of Thanksgiving and Tribute will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the United Congregational Church, Little Compton, RI. A private burial service will take place at a later date at Union Cemetery in Little Compton, RI. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to Robert T. and Judith B. Hale Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research c/o Dana Farber Institute, 10 Brookline Place 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445, or to the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 21 Longwood Avenue, Brookline, MA 02446. Arrangements are being made by WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter Street, Fall River, MA. For online registration and further information visit: www.waring-sullivan.com