Robert Lawrence Hadsell Sr

04/01/2004

Robert Lawrence Hadsell Sr., 78, of Home Road died on Thursday at Berkshire Medical Center after being stricken earlier at his home. Born in Boston on Sept. 27, 1925, son of John Hadsell and Gertrude Elizabeth Bailey Hadsell Markham, he attended schools in Sheffield. He retired in 1984 from Allendale Limestone Quarry in Canaan, Conn., where he had worked for many years. When he was younger, he worked on Merrilea Farm in Great Barrington, which was owned by Leo Kaplan. He loved to fish, go to county fairs, listen to bluegrass music and work in his vegetable garden. He leaves his wife, the former Myrtle Thomen Shaw, whom he married on June 14, 1965, in Canaan. Besides his wife, he leaves four daughters, Theresa Armstrong of Stockbridge, Linda Karch of Pittsfield, Sandra Pothul of Sheffield and Lisa Hadsell of Sheffield; two sons, Robert Hadsell Jr. of Great Barrington and Jason "Jake" Hadsell of Lee; three stepdaughters, Patricia Taylor of Jacksonville, N.C., Deborah Spadaccini of Florence and Jane Archambeau of Becket; two stepsons, Ronald Shaw of Great Barrington and Robert Shaw of Shelby, N.C.; a brother, Williams Markham of Sheffield; three sisters, Leona Brazie and Ethel Hitchcock, both of Sheffield, and Dee DeLand of Great Barrington, 25 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one daughter, Elizabeth Hadsell, who died in 1963. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Robert L. Hadsell Sr. will be Monday, April 5, at 11 at FINNERTY AND STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington, with the Rev. Betty LeGeyt officiating. Burial will follow in Sheffield Center Cemetery. The family will receive friends tomorrow from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert L. Hadsell Sr. Memorial Fund through the funeral home, 416 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com. Robert Hadsell's greatest joy came from spending time with his family. Survivors include his son-in-law, Sumner Lewis, and granddaughter, Rose Lewis, whom he called "Poppy's little Pooh bear," who lived with him.

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