James H. Hastings Passes
Haverhill — James H. Hastings, 92, of Bradford Mass., passed away peacefully on May 16, 2014, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Derry, N.H., on September 24, 1921, to Henry and Cora (Forsaith) Hastings. Jim grew up in Chester, N.H., graduating from Raymond High School in 1939, and moved to Bradford in the1940s.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Natalie (Spofford) Hastings; his son, James H. Hastings and his wife, Linda, of Glen N.H.; a daughter, Sandra L. Walker and her husband, Lawrence, of Bradford; two sisters, Martha Low of Haverhill, and Joanne Prescott and her husband, Kenneth, of Bradford; four grandchildren, Ryan Hastings and his wife, Sinead, of Carnelian Bay, Calif., Lawrence (Skip) Walker Jr. and his wife, Staci, of Kingston, Michael Walker and his wife, Michelle, of Haverhill, and Elisabeth Walker and her fiancé, Brian Benjamin of Bradford. He is also survived by five great-granddaughters, Tabatha, Kayla, Meagan, and Candace Walker of Haverhill, and Marlayna Walker of Bradford; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Rufus Hastings and Frank Hastings; and four sisters, Virginia Hamilton, Marie Beaudoin, Bernice Barbieri, and Frances Harmon.
In addition to his house in Bradford, he also had a summer cottage on Pine River Pond, Wakefield, N.H., where he spent much of his free time with family and friends. He was a member of The First Church of Christ of Bradford, where he served as a Deacon and Senior Deacon. He was a member of Saggahew Lodge A.F. & A. M. for over 50 years and is a Past Master and Past District Deputy of the 10th Masonic District, now the 11th, in Massachusetts, a member of Haverhill Commandery # 14, and many other Masonic affiliations.
Jim was a shoe cutter for many years, having worked at the former Knipe Brothers in Ward Hill, as well as other shoe shops in Haverhill and Lawrence. He had many interests, including the Red Sox, playing baseball, gardening, golfing, bowling, and cards, especially cribbage. Most of all, he loved his family and friends.