Richard E. Haines
Industrial Arts Teacher - Drivers Education Cromwell High SchoolRichard E. Haines, 89, of Cromwell, CT, husband of Elizabeth (Hallberg) Haines, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on the morning of March 29, 2023. He was born in Middletown, the eldest son of the late Frederick and Lois (Richardson) Haines, Jr. He lived in Portland where he attended school, graduating from Portland High School in 1951. He attended Central Connecticut State College where he graduated in 1955 and married Elizabeth Hallberg of Middle Haddam. Richard's teaching career of 36 years began with the opening of Cromwell High School where he was instrumental in setting up an Industrial Arts program and later a Driver Education program. Under his direction the Industrial Education program eventually expanded up to grade 12.
In 1986 he was selected as Cromwell's Teacher of the Year. He worked with many wonderful colleagues, parents and students and always spoke highly of his years at Cromwell High. Prior to retiring, Richard was a founding member of the Rosetown Festival, which ran from 1986 to 1992; and after retiring in 1991, he was active in community affairs and took pride in the fact that he helped organize Cromwell's first annual Riverport Festival Celebration. He was selected as Cromwell's Man of the Year in 2002 by Cromwell's Knights of Columbus.
Richard had many interests, among them being woodworking, gardening, boating and travel; together he and Elizabeth traveled to 49 of the 50 states. After retiring, he was known to many as Cromwell's local handyman.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Elizabeth; their two daughters, Susan Corcoran and her husband James of Brewerton, NY, and Laura DiMauro and her husband Charles of Vernon, CT; three grandchildren, Eric (EJ) Johnson and his fiancé Megan Jakiela of Meriden, CT; Nicole Johnson of Colchester, CT; Alex DiMauro, his wife Briana, and great grandson Jude of Vernon, CT. Nieces Cheryl Kissinger of East Hampton, CT; Karen Haines of Moodus, CT; and nephew Robert Haines and his wife Michelle of Rockfall, CT. Richard was pre-deceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Dorothy Haines of East Hampton, CT and a very special brother-in-law, Roy Hallberg, Jr. and his wife Yvonne of East Hampton, CT.
Calling hours will be held at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell, CT, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, between the hours of 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. The burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Second Congregational Church of Middle Haddam, 52 Middle Haddam Road, Middle Haddam, CT 06456, the church where Richard and Elizabeth were married.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com