Edward Coleman Hall, age 97, passed away peacefully on November 7 at Knollwood Nursing
Center in Worcester. He was born on May 31,1922 in Lynn to Preston and Rachel Hall, but lived in Worcester for most of his youth. At the age of 14, he received the Key to the City for rescuing two girls from drowning at Coes Pond. He told the story to encourage others to be willing to put others above self.
Ed was educated in the Worcester schools and graduated from Hebron Academy in Maine.
Following graduation, he began college at the University of Maine. World War II interrupted Ed’s
education when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was trained as a B-24 pilot and few thirty-nine missions in the Pacific Theater during the war.
Ed returned from the service, married the love of his life, Dorothy Moran, and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Ed soon established his own company, first in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and then in Worcester. Ed and his wife Dottie raised their six children in Holden. While running his company and raising a young family, Ed volunteered his time, both as a selectman for the Town of Holden for 12 years and for many charitable organizations. He served on the boards of the Mohegan Council Boy Scouts, the Montachusett Council Girl Scouts, and Heifer Project among others.
Ed’s true passion was being a proud member of Rotary International from 1963 until his death. He served as President in the Worcester Rotary Club. Following retirement he proudly served as District Governor in 1987 to 1988 and participated in Rotary International projects in many foreign countries.
Ed worked in 51 Haitian communities during his 20 trips helping the people to build and maintain solar powered irrigation systems so that the small groups could become more self sufficient. 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.
Ed was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy Moran Hall in 2015, his parents, Preston and Rachel Hall, his sisters Evelyn Hall Russell and Katharine Hall Baker. He is survived and dearly remembered by his brother, Preston (Skip) Hall of West Boylston, his children, Katharine Hall Perkins of South Portland, Maine, Susan Hall Sullivan and her husband Joseph of Holden, Edward Hall, Jr. and his wife Molly Montgomery of Yarmouth, Maine, Richard Hall and his wife Andrea of Portland, Maine, Donald Hall and his wife Pamela of Moravian Falls, North Carolina, and Kristina Tabor-Hall and her wife Holly of Andover, New Hampshire. He was the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren, Dustin and Jason Perkins, Khun Porl, Glenn and Mark Sullivan, Corinne Sullivan Balyk, Jackson and Carter Hall, Daniel and Katharine Hall, and Sandra McNally and seventeen great-grandchildren.
The family thanks the staff at the Knollwood Nursing Center for Ed’s care over the last two years.
Relatives and friends were invited to visit with Ed’s family on Sunday, November 10 at the Miles Funeral Home in Holden. A funeral service was held November 11 at the funeral home. Interment will be private.
donations may be made to the Edward C. Hall ’48 and Dorothy Moran Hall ’43 Scholarship Fund, University of Maine Foundation (2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469), the Rotary Foundation (.rotary.org/en/donate), or to a charity of your choice. To share a memory or leave a condolence message visit: milesfuneralhome.com.