Preston W. "Skip" Hall

WORCESTER – Preston W. "Skip" Hall, 88, of Worcester, formerly of West Boylston and Lancaster, passed away Sunday, November 15, in St. Vincent Hospital.

His loving wife of 65 years, Rosemary (Carlin) Hall passed away last year. He is survived by their five children, Deborah and husband Jeffrey Heller of Needham, MA, Preston "Pete" and wife Dawn Hall of North Andover, MA, James and wife Sharon Hall of Charlton, MA, Thomas and wife Christine Hall of Bedford, NH, and David and wife Katrina Hall of Hollis, NH. He had fifteen grandchildren Jessica, Kristin, Garrett, Michelle, Preston, Eric, Matthew, Elizabeth, Lauren, Brittnay, Andrew, James, Jacob, Sophia, and Samuel, and five great grandchildren, Elijah, Nathan, Brayden, Collin, and Cole. Three siblings, Edward Hall, Katharine Baker and Evelyn Russell predeceased him. He was born in Worcester, son of Preston M. and Rachel (Winship) Hall. Skip graduated from Hebron Academy, received a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine and graduated from the School of Industrial Management at WPI where he received the Albert H. Schwieger Award for outstanding professional achievement.

Skip had a long career in manufacturing. He started out as an engineer at Hobbs Manufacturing and quickly became the plant manager and he eventually became the President of the company. He then went on to become the President of Rexnord Inc. Knife Division, managing plants in Maynard, MA Ottumwa, IA and Athlone, Ireland. He retired as the CEO of Wolf Coach in Auburn, MA. Skip remained active as a board member of Mass Materials Research and various other corporations in Massachusetts as well as serving as a consultant for Darmann Abrasive Products in Clinton, MA.

He was known to his family as Mr. Fixit and loved to tinker in the shop he built behind his house on the lake in Lancaster. Skip fulfilled his lifelong dream of living on the water with the thought that he could go trout fishing whenever he liked. This passion was instilled in him at a young age when he learned to fish in Rangeley, ME with his father and grandfather at the family cabin. When he wasn't fishing, he enjoyed playing tennis, golf and many games of bridge with his wife. Skip's other true passion was being a proud member of Rotary International from 1964 until his death. Skip over the years served on both the Education and Service Funds of the Club. He was also on the board of directors. was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army Christmas collections. He was proud of the heritage of service to others that his family has continued to take part in whether through Rotary or other groups that serve.

Visiting Hours are Monday, November 23 from 5 to 7pm at Callahan Fay and Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. A Burial Service will be held Tuesday, November 24 at 11am in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org) or the FRAXA Research Foundation (www.fraxa.org)