Page 29 - Ninnau Jan-Feb 2021

Obituaries
William A. Hastie Sr.

William A. Hastie Sr., 101, against the Nazis and Fascists. Thumb program, he held a job as sang with the Orpheus Choir and
died suddenly and unexpectedly However, he persisted and suc- security guard, from which he later The Wyoming Valley
of natural cases Saturday, Nov. 7, cessfully reenlisted in May 1942. retired at age 82. Oratorio Society. He was a regu-
2020, at the Community Living Having had extensive training in While Bill’s formal education lar participant in Welsh Gymanfa
Center of the Veterans artillery during his first stint and ended with high school, he con- Ganu’s and St. David’s Day ban-
Administration Medical Center, knowing that other, less experi- tinued with informal self-educa- quets and events. He loved to sing
Wilkes-Barre. enced soldiers were already on tion and research throughout his and had a rich, expressive bass-
Bill was born in West Pittston the front lines, Bill insisted on adult life, reading extensively in a baritone voice. He could be heard
on May 28, 1919, to a Welsh- being assigned to an overseas wide variety of subjects and singing almost anywhere and at
American mother, Sarah Ann combat unit rather than accept studying local newspapers front- anytime. He enjoyed and excelled
Tilley, and Scottish-American placement with one based in the to-back daily. He maintained a at poetry recitation. He loved the
father, Aaron Hastie, the second U.S. His request was granted; substantial archive of records, sound of bagpipes. His daughters
of six children. Both of his grand- however, he was disappointed to newspaper clippings, photographs shared his love for music.
fathers were coal miners, a fact of have been assigned to an and other items, concerning, He loved sports, especially col-
which he was very proud. Ordnance, Munitions Company among many other subjects, the lege football and pro baseball. He
He was a member of the First rather than Artillery. He went on history of West Pittston and shared this interest with his chil-
Presbyterian Church of Pittston to participate in the North anthracite mining. He also had a dren Bill, Trevor and Megan, and
for 98 of his 101 years, having African, Sicilian and Italian William A. Hastie Sr. significant library and record col- had regular phone conversations
been baptized at Welsh Campaigns, including the later at Port Griffith. On the day lection, the contents of which with his son, Bill Jr., regarding
Congregational Church, Pittston. Landing at Anzio, where he was of the Knox Mine Disaster in illustrate the breadth of his inter- teams they followed, especially
Bill received an excellent edu- wounded. His surgery took place January 1959, he was an off-shift ests. Army football and the Pittsburgh
cation in the West Pittston school in a tent on the beach. He would worker and served as first-respon- From 1960 forward, Bill Pirates. He also enjoyed dis-
system and graduated from West receive a purple heart. He der in rescue efforts. In the after- became a popular public speaker, cussing sports history.
Pittston High School in 1936. The endured extensive aerial bom- math of the disaster, he worked giving presentations before Some memberships: the St
youngest male in his class and an bardment by the Nazi Luftwaffe on the coffer dam as part of the numerous fraternal organizations, David’s Society of Wyoming
outstanding student, Bill was also during his service. In addition to restoration of the disaster site. in classrooms and assemblies at Valley; the St. David’s Day
a fine athlete and lettered in four the purple heart, he was awarded During this latter period, he also high schools, in college class- Society of Lackawanna County
sports. five battle stars, a bronze arrow- attended hearings and trials that rooms, at the Anthracite Heritage (which honored him from his
With civilian jobs scarce during head for assault landings, concerned the causes of the disas- Museum in Scranton, and at work preserving the burial sites of
the Depression, Bill enlisted in American Defense Ribbon ter. He was interviewed by the numerous events sponsored by Avondale Mine Disaster victims);
the U.S. Army in January 1938, at with Bronze Star and Good FBI regarding operations and historical societies throughout the The West Pittston Historical
age 18. He was to serve two tours Conduct Medal. He attained the practices both within the mine anthracite region. He was a regu- Society; The West Pittston
of duty. During the first three- rank of sergeant. and at the business level. lar featured guest on WNEP and Library Association; The Greater
year stint, he was initially sta- When discharged Bill served on the West Pittston WVIA’s program Dialogue dur- Pittston Historical Society; The
tioned at Fort Monroe in Virginia. following World War II, he Town Council, 1952 to 1959, and ing the early 1970s, where he Plymouth Historical Society; The
While there, he joined the boxing returned to West Pittston and was chairman, 1956 to 1959; he spoke principally about civic and Anthracite Heritage Museum; the
team for recreation and developed worked a number of jobs, includ- also served as chairman of the political matters, including civil Anthracite Living History Group;
skill at and an appreciation of the ing provision of security for Jack West Pittston Centennial rights, economic and social injus- The Huber Breaker Preservation
“sweet science.” In September Jones, a millionaire coal baron Committee, 1956 to 1957. tice, environmental destruction Society; The West Pittston High
1940, in response to the declara- who lived in West Pittston. After the mining industry’s and the presidency of Richard School Alumni Association; the
tion of war between the U.K. and During this time, he befriended decline, Bill had a series of short- Nixon. Sierra Club; Defenders of
Germany, his unit shipped to Miss Emily Johnson, who proved term jobs before gaining employ- Bill loved to converse and was Wildlife; the ACLU; NOW;
Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, to a valuable source of information ment at Garwood Industries (later always happy to welcome into his NAACP; the Southern Poverty
form part of the outer defenses of on matters later deemed highly Sargent Industries) from 1962 home anyone with a question or Law Center; Nature Conservancy;
the Panama Canal. While serving relevant to understanding local until 1975, and with Conrail, perhaps many questions but he among other progressive organi-
in Puerto Rico, he played for his history. Miss Johnson was heavi- 1976 to 1979. Fueled by a strong also loved to learn from others. zations. He helped support a
unit’s baseball team. Among his ly involved in the Settlement interest in culture and history, he Many a scholar, student, journal- Native American school.
ballclub’s opponents was Movement and was a trusted sought federally funded Green ist, old miner and local history His final civic act was to cast
Santurce’s Winter Ball League friend to many immigrants in Thumb jobs, obtaining positions buff called to request an interview his ballot in the 2020 election.
team, for which the great Negro Pittston, in particular those from at WVIA public radio and televi- with him, and many found them- With that act, he had participated
League catcher Josh Gibson Sicily. Bill learned a great deal sion station; the Children’s selves interviewed in return. in every election for which he
played. Eight decades later, Bill from their conversations. Museum in Forty Fort, where he In 2013, he joined his longtime was eligible since 1940, with the
still considered Mr. Gibson to Bill met Elizabeth (Betty Jane) was a guide; the Wyoming friend and collaborator, Dr. possible exception of 1944, when
have been the greatest baseball Groves in 1948 when both were Historical and Geological Society Robert Wolensky, in coauthoring he was still serving in Italy. His
player he ever saw. members of the choir at First (now Luzerne Historical and the book “Anthracite Labor last ballot was not cast in vain
Immediately after Pearl Harbor, Presbyterian Church, Pittston. Geological Society) in Wilkes- Wars.” Dr. Wolensky and Bill
Bill attempted to reenlist but was They married in 1950 and settled Barre, where he did a full inven- teamed up frequently over the and he knew that before he died.
not accepted because his job at on Delaware Avenue, West tory of all museums in the district years in giving public presenta- Bill was predeceased by his
the West Pittston (Vulcan) Iron Pittston, where they would raise and was appointed acting curator; tions and television interviews. wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Jane
Works, which manufactured their family. the Swetland Home in Wyoming, Dr. Wolensky’s Wyoming Valley (nee Groves) Hastie; his sisters,
shells for two different kinds of From 1952 to 1959, Bill was as a guide; and Kirby Park in Oral and Living History Project Sarah Elizabeth “Betty”
tanks, was considered more employed by the Knox Coal Kingston, where he served as archive includes recordings and Robertson; and Ruth “Tiny”
important to the Allied cause Company, first as a mineworker arborist. After leaving the Green transcripts of numerous inter- Seeley; his brothers, Myrddyn C.
at the main slope in Exeter and views with Bill. Hastie; and Alexander Gladstone
Mr. Hastie appears as one of Hastie; and four nephews,
Mae Howells Anderson the main historian- commentators Stephen H. and William
in the yet-to-be-released “Knox
Mine Disaster” documentary by Robertson; M. Craig Hastie; and
Florence Mae Howells Association. David and Al Brocca. Robert Waitkevich.
Anderson, 91, died Nov. 11, At singing sessions, a listener Bill was an avid and accom- William is survived by his
2020. She was born Oct. 29, could count on Mae’s strong plished gardener and used sus- brother, Commander R. Keith
1929, in Montreal, Canada, the soprano on the melodies of her tainable practices over a period of Hastie, retired; son, Colonel
daughter of Charles and Grace forebears. When her voice range several decades. He shared his William A. Hastie Jr., retired;
Baggett. Traveling with her changed, she graciously adjust- abundant and absolutely delicious daughter, Christina H. Hastie;
family in their Christian min- ed and became an alto. crops and fruit with relatives, son, Trevor L. Hastie (Debbie);
istry, she became a talented Don and Mae participated in neighbors, and friends, and with and daughter, Megan J. Hastie
singer and developed her art many community and church anyone whom he knew to be on a (Charles Stein); granddaughters,
skills to add a special dimension programs, but primarily enjoyed fixed income, as there was always Heather Hastie (Clay Helms);
to her father’s sermons. travel, particularly the trips they more than the family could eat! Morgan Whitaker (Dan
Emigrating to the United took to Wales and England. His tomatoes were unrivalled! Woolsey); and Sierra Hastie (Jon
States, she became a Mae was preceded in death by Bill was a life-long environ- Garbacik); and five great-grand-
Naturalized U.S. Citizen and her husband of 49 years, mentalist and conservationist. In children, Sam and Charlie Hastie
attended art school, worked for Donald; and sister, Audrey 1975, he purchased land in Helms; Logan Krip; and Griffin
Bradford County with the express
the city of Minneapolis, sang in Scott. purpose of conserving it. That
church choirs, and was very Mae Howells Anderson She is survived by her son, land is now teeming with life, and Winn Woolsey; nieces,
proud of her Welsh heritage. Society of Minnesota Jerome, and wife, Holly including several tall oak trees he Michelle Hastie Mendelsohn;
She was a mainstay in the St. Foundation. She helped arrange Anderson; many grandchildren; planted on it. Cynthia Hastie Felter; Liz Hastie
David’s Society of Minnesota for and host any number of a niece and nephews. Fired by a strong sense of civic Brophy; Hilary Hastie Hanley;
and the Minnesota Gymanfa Welsh entertainers and choirs. A virtual funeral service was responsibility, Bill was a frequent Margaret Zellner; nephews, Craig
Ganu Association [predecessor She was chairperson of the held Nov. 23. contributor to letters-to-the-edi- Robertson; Richard, Alexander
of the Minnesota Welsh 1987 National Gymanfa Ganu Memorials may be directed to tor, principally on matters of poli- and Keith Hastie; Dr. Robert
Association] for decades. held in St. Paul. The Ordway the St. David’s Society of tics and history. Seeley; several grand-nieces and
However, poor health had kept staff remembered for years the Minnesota Foundation, c/o Bill had a great love of the nephews; and a great many good
her from activity in her final sound of 1,700 singers singing Treas., Ron Adams, 3680 arts - music and poetry, in partic- friends, including and especially
years. Welsh hymns in four parts. Independence Ave. S #12, St. ular. Framed on his bedroom wall Bob Wolensky, Bill Best and
She served as president of Before that, she had been heavi- Louis Park, MN 55426, or Elim were the words, “To be Welsh is Tom Granahan. Bill loved deeply
th
each organization at least once. ly involved in the 1978 Baptist Church, 685 13 Ave. to be born privileged; not with a and was deeply loved and he will
She was also instrumental in the “National” in Minneapolis. She NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413. silver spoon in your mouth, but be missed by a great many peo-
formation of the charitable arm also served on the Board of the music in your heart and poetry in ple.
of the Society, The St. David’s Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu your soul.” In addition to being a
stalwart of the church choir, he

January-February 2021 NINNAU Page 29