Eugene Hastings, W1VRK, 88, of Marblehead passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 25, 2018 after suffering a massive stroke six weeks earlier. He was born on January 27, 1930 in Salem. Gene graduated Swampscott High School followed by a degree from Boston University in Business Administration. In 1961 he married Clara Brichze and they settled in Marblehead.
A long time advocate for amateur radio and the ARRL, Gene served on the ARRL Foundation Board of Directors from 1993 to 2014 and was honored as a Director Emeritus. For years he championed the ARRL New England Division Convention, one of the largest ham radio conventions in the country, out of Swampscott, Boston and Boxboro. An active DXer, Gene had 333 DXCC countries confirmed. He was also a member and director of the North Shore Radio Association.
His Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Swampscott Cemetery, 400 Essex Street Swampscott. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the Solimine Funeral Home, 67 Ocean Street (Rte.1A), Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lynn Rotary Charitable Corporation, P.O. Box 8100, Lynn, MA 01904. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com.