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Eugene H. Hastings Marblehead, MA QCWA # 25202 Chapter 112 |
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First Call: WN1VRK
Eugene Horace Hastings, 88, of Marblehead and beloved husband of Clara Brichze Hastings passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 25, 2018 after suffering a massive stroke six weeks earlier. He was born on January 27, 1930 in Salem, MA to the late Abner and Florence Hastings. Gene graduated Swampscott High School followed by a degree from Boston University in Business Administration. In 1961 he married Clara Brichze and they settled in Marblehead.
Gene spent his entire career at the Lynn Daily Evening Item as a photographer and later in advertising. He was a lifelong storyteller and enjoyed meeting and interacting with people all over the world.
A long time amateur radio ham operator his call sign was W1VRK. Gene was very active in the ham radio community both locally and beyond, serving local and national organizations. He served on the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Foundation Board of directors from 1993 to 2014 and was honored as a Director Emeritus. For many years he led one of the largest ham radio conventions in the country, out of Swampscott and Boxboro MA. Active in the long distance, DX communications, Gene gathered 333 contacts in the ARRL DXCC listings including countries, principalities, and outposts world-wide; at one point talking with the space shuttle. Locally he was a member and director of the North Shore Radio Association.
Gene was a member of the Lynn Rotary Club for over 38 years, beginning in July 1975 representing the Lynn Item. Over the years he participated in Rotary at the local, district, and international levels, serving as the Lynn Club President in 1986 and the Rotary District 7930 Governor for the 1996-1997 program year. He was a Paul Harris Fellow multiple times and received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. Gene served on the Camp Rotary Board of Directors for the Lynn Rotary Club and helped manage the day to day operation of Camp Rotary in Boxford, Massachusetts.
Gene is predeceased by his brother, Robert and survived by his brother Wilmot, his wife Clara of 56 years, their son Edwin and his wife Connie of Westborough MA, daughter Leslie and her husband Tom Miller of Hamilton NJ, and son Laurence Hastings of Haverhill MA, grandchildren Catherine and Zachary Roebuck of Arlington TX, Elizabeth Hastings, Nathaniel Hastings, and Daniel Hastings, all of Westborough MA.
His Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Swampscott Cemetery, 400 Essex Street Swampscott. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean Street (Rte.1A) Lynn Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lynn Rotary Charitable Corporation, P.O. Box 8100, Lynn, Massachusetts 01904