FRANKFORT – Weston Bradford Haskell III died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, as the result of a construction site accident in Searsport. He was 58. Wes was born April 1, 1953, in Boston, the only son of Weston Bradford Haskell Jr. and Mary Louise (Williams) Haskell, both natives of Auburn.
Wes lived with his parents and two older sisters, Lucia and Sarah, in Concord, Mass., until the age of 4, when they relocated to Simsbury, Conn., where his youngest sister, Amy was born. He attended local schools and was a 1973 graduate of Westledge School, West Simsbury, Conn. Always fascinated by the world of mechanics and combustion, Wes studied automotive technology at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, South Portland, graduating in 1978 with an associate degree. For several years he ran his own repair garage on Grant Street, Portland. In 1979 he married Meg Holzhauer at the historic Old Porter Meeting House, Porter. The couple lived first in South Paris and in 1984 moved to Bangor. In 1985 their son Jackson was born, followed by Lucas in 1987. Wes studied engineering at the University of Maine, Orono, and graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology. While he was in school Wes began working as parttime laborer at Bangor Water District and by 1991 had been promoted to the position of data systems manager. Among his many responsibilities at that time was the purchase and installation of the district’s first computerized water treatment and record keeping system. In 1993 the family moved to Wareham, Mass., where Wes served as the superintendent of Wareham Fire District Water Department. They returned to the Bangor area in 1997 when Wes was hired as the general manager of Old Town Water District. During this period Wes also joined Old Town Rotary Club and served for one year as its president. In June 2006, he was hired as district engineer at Bangor Water District and later that year he was named assistant general manager. His responsibilities included the day-to-day operations of the water system, the installation of new water storage tanks and treatment components, long term planning for the future of the system, and developing a robust safety program. He also served on the national licensing board for water systems operators. In the final two years of his life, Wes divorced and retired from full time work. In December 2011, he flew to South Africa and then sailed back across the Atlantic to Barbados in a 43-foot cutter with a total crew of four, including his middle sister, Sarah. On his return to Maine, he developed his career as a consulting engineer. In 2010, prior to his transatlantic adventure, Wes met and fell in love with Rene Davis. After his return, the two lived joyfully together in Frankfort until Wes’ tragic death last week. Wes never lost his love for engines and explosions, and spent many happy hours tinkering in his garage. When his boys were young, he delighted in building them “potato guns” out of plastic tubing, capable of firing spuds, apples and rotten tomatoes over the garage or across the back yard. When they were older, he enjoyed their help as he tinkered on his many motorcycles, including a vintage 1972 Triumph Bonneville and a classy 1981 Harley-Davidson. He enjoyed camping with his family, kayaking in the icy ocean waters of Washington County and visiting with his large extended family. He was a gifted, creative and quirky artist, working primarily as a metal sculptor and sketcher. Musically, he most enjoyed classic rock ‘n’ roll and the blues. He was interested in history, politics and the environment. He maintained important friendships and professional relationships with a large number of people. Wes was an active volunteer with Orono Community Theatre, Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and other community programs. Wes’ sons were the great joys of his life. He loved them deeply and unconditionally, and spoke of them often with warmth and pride.
Weston will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by many, including his sons, Jackson Freeman Haskell of Portland and Lucas Cary Haskell of Canby, Ore.; his mother, Mary Louise Haskell of Yarmouth; his loving partner, Rene Davis of Frankfort; his former wife, Meg Haskell of Orono; his close friend, Mark Bilyk of Orono; and his three sisters and their families, Lucia Haskell McBee of New York City, Sarah Haskell Fowler and her husband, Ben, of York and Amy Haskell Kramer and her husband, Ed, of Manchester, N.H. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Wes was predeceased in 1983 by his father, Weston Bradford Haskell Jr.
A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable gifts in memory of Wes Haskell be made to Habitat for Humanity.