George Bennett Paine Haskell (Josh)

Josh Haskell, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, age 79, passed away June 21, 2024, at his residence in Kirtland Hills, Ohio, after a battle with lung cancer. He was born November 24, 1944, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to George Paine and Margaret (Merritt) Haskell.

Josh graduated from The Hotchkiss School (class of 1962); Yale University (class of 1966); and Case Western Reserve University School of Law (class of 1975). While at Yale he was co-director of The Exit coffeehouse and chairman of the Yale-in-Jail program. He was also one of only two students on Law Review who graduated in the top 10% of the class. After graduation, Josh worked at the law firm of Baker, Byron and Hackenberg where he became a partner. Later he started his own practice in Painesville. Josh’s law career included both private practice and dedicated government service. He served as assistant to the law director for both Kirtland Hills and Willoughby and as the law director for PerryTownship. After a forty-nine year career, Josh retired from practice in 2023.

Josh enjoyed diverse pastimes. After Yale, he led a discussion group on his favorite book Finnegans Wake. Following his dad’s lead with ESNO (Epicurean Society of Northeastern Ohio), Josh and his friends formed SESNO (The Supreme Epicurean Society of Northeastern Ohio) to continue the tradition of planning and preparing delicious four course meals for their wives. He and his friends also created The Friday the 13th Society. According to the bylaws, it was a “Purposeless Society” that met every Friday the 13th to enjoy prearranged outings chosen by the group. And let’s not forget the trains! On snowy winter days, you could find Josh working on his Lionel train layout - the sounds of train whistles and clacking tracks emanating from the basement. However, when the weather broke and spring arrived, Josh’s focus was on his first love - gardening. He worked tirelessly to turn his five-acre property into his own beautiful arboretum. And he enjoyed every minute of it.

Josh is survived by his wife, Susan Ball Haskell; son, Seth (Kristin) Haskell; daughter, Devon (Aspen) Gorry; grandchildren, Rowan and Sage Gorry; sister, Sheila (Lynn) Smith. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Ann Ball Frost; brother-in-law, Bob Munger (Jill Nooney); nieces, Kirsten (Randy) Likes, Meghan (Rich) Schofield, Leslie (Lewis) Stouffer, and Laura (Gerry) Northwood; nephews, Brian (Leora Fromm) Smith, John (Christine) Frost, and Rob Munger (Jennifer Strong). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joanna Haskell Munger.

The family truly appreciates Josh’s close friends staying in touch with him recently and also the kind staff at Hellriegel’s who, in his last months, gave Josh a home away from home. Friends will be received from 1:00pm until 3:00pm, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Spear Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio. Afterwards, starting at 3:30pm, please join us at Hellriegel’s Inn restaurant, 1840 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks with friends and family at what has been Josh’s favorite restaurant since he was four years old.

If you would like to make a donation in Josh’s memory, the family suggests:

Lake Humane Society (www.lakehumane.org/)

The Salvation Army of Painesville, Ohio (give.salvationarmy.org/give/552544)

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