OBITUARY for Gene hastings

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.
 
Read a beautiful tribute to Gene from Donna D'Agostino.
A Life Worth Living; A Lifetime of Giving
In Memoriam: Eugene H. Hastings, Governor 1996-97
 
Daniel H. Pink wrote “Endings can be a positive force. They can help energize us to reach a goal. They can help us edit the nonessential from our lives. Closings, conclusions and culminations reveal something essential about the human condition: In the end we seek meaning”.
 
Upon the death of Gene Hastings, I find myself pondering if I have done enough to help others. Have I inspired someone to become the best they can be? Does my life have meaning? I can answer yes because I became a Rotarian in 1996, the year Gene Hastings was our District Governor. District leadership was never about Gene or the legacy he would leave having served as Governor of District 7930. His service to our district Rotarians was all about mentoring, inspiring motivating and educating. Gene was extraordinary at developing new Rotarians into future district leaders. Many of us can recall him calling out “so, when are you going to be District Governor?” I was one of those fortunate new Rotarians to have been nurtured, inspired and mentored by Gene. I probably would not have stepped up to the plate if it were not for Gene. Trailing behind me are at least 7 other Governors who served before me having been inspired and mentored by Gene. This was Gene’s gift to Rotary. He did leave a legacy after all. On the lighter side, I will include the gargantuan district bell (a rolling cart helps), the mega sized wooden Rotary wheels (be careful how you transport these), and the expansive international flag collection. Out of my respect for Gene, I took great pleasure in folding them with great care and, if necessary, ironing them. I will add the District 7930 newsletter, instituted and created lovingly by Gene; and the concept of a customized district pin.
 
Gene taught me the meaning of Rotary in my life. Clara Hastings taught me how to support others and the crucial role of a supporting team.  I hope that I have inspired a few Rotarians in my lifetime; perhaps even mentoring a few along the way. Gene recognized the need to Build the Future with Action and Vision.
 
Donna Marie D’Agostino
District Governor 2004-05