Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Jimmy, Patty and their staff would like to thank the community of Gloucester, Mathews, Middle Peninsula and surrounding areas for the support you have provided during our loss of Monty Haskell.

Monty had been a well-known figure in Gloucester since his days at Gloucester High School, where he played football for the Dukes. To all his high school classmates, he was known as “Mighty,” a name that followed him into his later years.

Mighty he was! He bought Mike’s Tire & Recap, Inc. from Mike Rowe in 1976 and brought the business into the “New Generation”—growing out of a small concrete building on the corner of Route 17 and Brays Point Road, into a modern automotive and tire dealership not more than 20 yards from the former location. This year, we will celebrate 65 years of continuous automotive service to Gloucester and beyond!

Not only was Monty a local businessman, he was also involved with the community in which he lived, serving as a member of the Gloucester Planning Commission, Gloucester Rotary, Gloucester Lions and the Gloucester Library Foundation, Monty’s enthusiasm for his community spilled over into Gloucester Parks and Recreation, where he established the Mike’s Tire Soccer Tournament which provided children a tournament experience with personal announcements, team recognition and a trophy for both spring and fall seasons. This trophy is on display at Gloucester Parks and Recreation and spans 25 seasons.

Monty is greatly missed, not only by the staff at Mike’s Tire, but also by all those he touched during his lifetime. Let us all remember his impact and follow his legacy of fostering genuine friendships and the art of giving. His last letter to us ended appropriately: “Always remember the secret of the fox to the Little Prince, ‘One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.’”

Patty Kellogg

On behalf of the staff of

Mike’s Tire & Automotive

Ordinary, Va.