OXFORD – Donald S. Hackett, 84, of Oxford, formerly of Pinehurst, NC, passed away on March 30th, 2013 at the New York State Veteran’s Home in Oxford. Born October 26, 1928 in Newark, NJ, he was the youngest of seven children of William H. and Mabel (McPeck) Hackett. On September 15, 1950 he married the love of his life Bernice (Barrett) Hackett in Kearny, NJ.
Don is survived by his wife Bernice; their children Wayne Hackett and his wife Joyce of West End, NC; Keith Hackett and his wife Chettina of Colorado Springs, CO; and Cynthia Henderson and her husband James of Oxford; his sister Gertrude Potters of South Carolina; grandchildren Kelly (Stephen) Baldassano, Mark (Lindsay) Henderson, Lauren Henderson and her fiancé Jeffrey London, Donald S. Hackett II and his wife Erin, Justin Hackett and Alyssa Hackett; as well as his great grandchildren, Evelyn Hackett, Aubree Baldassano and Abigail Baldassano.
He graduated from Kearny High School, NJ in 1946. Shortly after marrying Bernice, Don entered the Army in December of 1950. He was a veteran of the United States Army, proudly serving as a lieutenant in the Korean War and fighting in the Battle of Triangle Hill. Don earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Rutgers University. He retired as President of Equity Savings and Loan Bank in Kearny, NJ. He served on many boards over his lifetime, but most notably the hospital board at West Hudson Hospital in Kearny, NJ. Don was a Rotary member, a former Mason of the Copestone Lodge in Kearny, NJ. He volunteered at the Food Pantry in Oxford, and was a member of the United Church of Oxford and the consistory of the church. He enjoyed his daily cup of coffee and conversations with his fellow members of the Oxford Men’s Coffee Club. Don was an avid golfer while he lived in Pinehurst, NC, and also enjoyed playing poker and bridge.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Church of Oxford, with the Rev. Allen Lang officiating. Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made to the United Church of Oxford, P.O. Box 566, Oxford, NY 13830. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.