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JOHN BALDWIN HASKELL JR.

1924-2015

John Baldwin Haskell Jr. passed away on Nov. 29, 2015, after a long battle with diabetes and its complications.

Budd, as he was affectionately called, was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Jersey City, N.J., to John B. Haskell and Margaret Schlotthauer Haskell. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he received dual degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.  

After graduation, Mr. Haskell began his career at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in ship repair. He went on to be a construction engineer for Marine Nuclear Plants and was responsible for the engineering design of the USS Robert E. Lee, USS Sam Rayburn, USS Shark and 13 additional submarines that were built during his tenure. During those years he worked with Admiral Hyman Rickover creating in small part the Nuclear Navy. Upon leaving the shipyard, Mr. Haskell became the Vice President of Nuclear Service and Construction, a company that specialized in land-based nuclear plants. He would become the Chief Project Engineer for the Surry Nuclear Power Plant and the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in Virginia. Upon completion Mr. Haskell became a Nuclear Energy Consultant for King Wilkinson working in Europe, the Middle and Far East.    

In 1996, Mr. Haskell retired from King Wilkinson settling in Williamsburg, Va. While retired, Mr. Haskell worked as an engineering consultant for James City County. Over the years, Mr. Haskell and his wife of 65 years, Margaret Ann Williams Haskell, lived in California, New York, Michigan, Virginia, Germany, Holland, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea. 

He called “Clermont” home in Gloucester, Va., while raising his children, Montague Williams Haskell (Elizabeth) of Gloucester, and Cynthia Lee Haskell Kispert (John J.) of Florence, S.C. Mr. Haskell spent his latter years as a resident of the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee and the Heritage Home in Florence, S.C.

Mr. Haskell was most proud of his service to his country during World War II. He served honorably in the United States Navy in Italy and concluded his enlistment participating in the nuclear destruction testing on the Bikini Atoll on ships, equipment and materials known as “Operation Crossroads.” 

Mr. Haskell is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Haskell Kispert; his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Franklin Haskell; four grandchildren, Matthew Williams Haskell and John Warren Haskell of Gloucester, Katherine Blair Kispert of Greensboro, N.C., and John Andrew Kispert of Mount Pleasant, S.C. His wife, Margaret Ann Williams, and his son, Montague Williams Haskell, predeceased him, as did his brother, Donald Charles Haskell of Albuquerque, N.M. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by a sister, Marjorie Haskell Mannix of Lake George, N.Y., and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at Ware Episcopal Church in Gloucester, with burial to follow at Ware Episcopal Cemetery, at date to be determined.

In memory, donations may be sent to Gloucester Community Foundation, Montague Williams Haskell Fund for Public Library Staff Development and Education at the Gloucester County Library, P.O. Box 2303, Gloucester, Va. 23061, a legacy created by his late son, Monty.   

Please sign the online guest registry at www.cainfuneralhome.com.