Herman Karl Hasenstein Jr.

Herman Karl Hasenstein, Jr., dynamic community volunteer and sportsman, of Leominster, Massachusetts died peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 31. He was 78 years old. Born in Leominster, he was the son of the late Herman Karl Hasenstein, of Hanover, Germany and Catherine (Moran) Hasenstein of Clinton, Massachusetts. Herman attended St. Leo School in Leominster and May A. Gallagher Junior High School where he met his future wife of 55 years, Joan Barbara (King) Hasenstein. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1948. While in high school, Herman participated in sports that became his enduring passions. He played football for Leominster High and he was a member of the unofficial Leominster Boys ski team that annually challenged the Fitchburg boys to a ski race down the infamous Burbank Hill.

Upon graduation from high school, Herman enlisted in the US Navy, initially stationed at Anacostia Naval Station in Washington, D. C., serving the White House. He was deployed to active naval service in the Western Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer during the Korean War. He was aboard the Boxer when in August, 1952 fire broke out on the ship while engaged in combat operations. After his honorable discharge as a Korean war veteran in October, 1952, Herman began his business career at the New England Telephone Company, now known as Verizon. While attending Fitchburg State College, Herman worked his way up through the telephone company from line repairman to business office representative to executive management in the Boston headquarters of New England Telephone. During this time he was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the largest industry related volunteer organization in the world dedicated to helping those in need. Because of his commitment and dedication to volunteerism, Herman's greatest professional recognition and satisfaction came when he was named the Administrator for the William J. Denver chapter of the Telephone Pioneers, responsible for serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through his involvement with Pioneers, he dedicated countless hours in service to others. He retired from this position in 1994 but that did not diminish his vigorous role in community service. Honored in 2006 as an outstanding and dedicated member of the North Central Massachusetts Conference of Football Officials, Herman was a local football official for over 40 years, serving on their board for many years. A lifelong skier, he was also on the Wachusett Mountain Ski Patrol for 40 years. Truly passionate about skiing, in 1989 he became involved with the Special Olympics and for 18 years he traveled annually to Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine to train and coach Special Olympians in the sport. He was a member of the Central Massachusetts Track and Field Officials and officiated track meets for over 15 years. Herman also worked as a volunteer on national pro golf tours, notably the PGA Champions Tour at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord and the LPGA tournaments at Pleasant Valley, and pro ski races for years. A member of Westminster Country Club and the Fitchburg YMCA for many decades, he also enjoyed golf, running, mountain climbing, bicycling and was an avid supporter of high school athletics.

Herman is survived by his beloved wife and friend, Joan, and his cherished daughter, Pamela Ann (Hasenstein) Erdos and her husband, David Carl Erdos of Harvard, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Karen Ann Hasenstein. Herman leaves his adored granddaughters, Emily and Katie Erdos; his dear sister, Mary Catherine (Hasenstein) Howard and her husband, John E. Howard of Leominster; his nephews, John P. Howard of Cos Cob, Connecticut, Kevin Howard and wife, Laura, of Fitchburg and Brendan A. Howard and wife, Annette, of Westford, Massachusetts and many other nieces, nephews and loyal friends. He was a strong and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and he and his fine sense of humor will be missed greatly by so many.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Leo's Parish, Leominster on Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Leo's cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours were held on Thursday evening, June 5 from 5 to 8 p.m at the Curley-Marchand Funeral Home, 89 West Street, in Leominster. Donations may be made in Herman's memory to St. Leo's Parish, 128 Main Street. Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, where he was a lifelong parishioner, or to the organization of one's choice.