Robert Hall

02/16/2006

Robert Hall, 99, of Balance Rock Road died Thursday of pneumonia at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Sentobia, Miss., on April 25, 1906, he was the son of the Rev. Wilson Allen Hall and Olympia Blackburn Hall. In 1926, Mr. Hall began his employment with New Haven Railroad as parlor porter of cars 69 and 80. He met such historical figures as Al Capone, Legs Diamond, Billie Holiday and several U.S. presidents. After retiring from the railroad, he was employed as a guard at the former Eaton Paper Co. for a few years. He was proficient as a cobbler, barber, carpenter, plumber and electrician. He was a member of Second Congregational Church in Pittsfield and of St. John's Masonic Temple. He and his wife, the former Estelle Lewis, were married in 1929 in New York City. They moved to Pittsfield in 1936 and to Lanesborough in 1938. Once a year, the couple had a celebration at their property in Lanesborough for the senior citizens of the town. His wife died 10 years ago. He leaves a son, Dennis L. Powell of Pittsfield; two sisters, Anna Haskins of Baltimore and Beatrice Lilly of Mobile, Ala.; three grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Robert Hall will be conducted Tuesday at 2 at WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME by the Rev. Willard Durant. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours will be the day of the service from 1 until the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, in care of the funeral home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Susan Hall of Piscataway, N.J.; Chester Niles of Pittsfield, who had been a surrogate father to him for many years; many loving nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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