Obituary of Lewis Judson Haskell

North Haven- Lewis Judson Haskell 96, died peacefully with his loving wife Ida at his side, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Quarry Hill in Camden. Born on North Haven Island, March 12, 1920, he was the son of James A. Haskell and Ethel Thornton Haskell from Deer Isle. Lewis served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Tranquility during WWII and re-enlisted to serve again during the Korean War. He received the WWII Victory Medal. He was born and raised on North Haven Island where he lived a life of many adventures, self-made and documented in many journals and writings of his. He met and married his wife of 75 years Ida Wooster Haskell, March 27, 1941 and together they built a beautiful life on North Haven. Ida was beside Lewis with every idea, adventure or task he wanted to take on. For many years, Lewis worked as a caretaker for the estate of Mrs. Hope Felton. He served the island community on the Board of Selectmen, a constable and sometimes medically because of his training in the Navy. His service to his community included many boards and committees. Lewis was the historian and story teller of North Haven and all its history. He knew every family whether they were of the island or summer residents. Every Sunday during the summer folks gathered in their home to hear Lew’s stories of the island and his adventures, from whales washing ashore, to estates failing during the depression. The stories telling his love of boats and the trips he would take on them, some successful, some a close call. While he entertained his guests with stories his loving wife, Ida, would be the ever gracious host serving pie and tea. When asked what would ever happen to all the stories of North Haven when he passed, his reply, “I guess they end with me.” He credited his accuracy of his stories to always telling the truth, “As long as it’s the truth the story is always the same.” With his love of the island and all its history, Lewis with Ida beside him again, decided to build a Historical Society and Museum of the island. He started collecting, saving and buying any and all pieces of the islands history he could gather. People also donated many items to his dream over the years. Once his dream became a reality and his museum was built he decided to gift that and all he had acquired, even the home that he and Ida had built with their own hands. A book with many stories of his childhood was written by Lewis and published, “Cold Milk and Apple Pie”, well known amongst the locals and many generations of summer residents. People have written about him, he has been visited by many some famous some not but everyone knew of Lewis Haskell and his Sunday story telling. On his 95th Birthday he received the Boston Golden Cane as the oldest living island resident. Lewis was predeceased by his sisters Betty Greenlaw and Hershall Haskell. Other than his loving wife Ida, he is survived by his sons, Raymond Haskell of North Haven and his partner Patricia Lannon, David Haskell and his wife Myra Roman-Haskell of North Haven as well as seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. There will be no service per the request of Lewis and his family.