Little Deer Isle
Terry Wayne Haskell passed away in his home on Sunday, July 11, 2021, after a valiant and swift battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 72 years old.
Terry was born on Nov. 15, 1948, and raised in Ellsworth, though after his parents divorced he often spent time with his father in their ancestral land in Little Deer Isle. Of all the memories from his youth, his favorites (often recalled around a campfire) involved adventures with his older brother, Dana, and his younger brother, David. From a young age, Terry loved music. He spent much of his teenage years playing guitar, appreciating the stylings of Bo Diddley, and spending time with his friends.
Terry was a curious soul and a scientist to his bones. After graduating from Ellsworth High School, he studied biology at the University of Maine, focusing on oceanography, marine biology and zoology. With this knowledge, Terry started Little Deer Isle Marine Farm. He became a pioneer of aquaculture in Downeast Maine in the 1970s and early ’80s, helping to establish the Maine Aquaculture Association in 1978. Terry married Karen Welch in 1981, becoming a father figure to her daughter, Melissa, and they welcomed their own daughter, Amanda, in 1983.
After leaving the aquaculture business, Terry became a supervisor for Elscott Manufacturing, where he worked for 28 years. The couple welcomed their youngest daughter Kaley in 1992. Throughout these years, Karen and Terry exemplified partnership, working around Karen’s nursing school schedule. Later, they often worked opposite shifts yet still managed to have dinner together with their family every evening.
Terry was a man of projects, plans and ideas. He and his wife built two homes together from the ground up. After his youngest daughter went to college, Karen and Terry decided to leave the Ellsworth area and retire to their beloved camp on Little Deer Isle, first building a beautiful home overlooking Penobscot Bay. It was there that Terry lived some of his most joyous days. He spent his days outside with the family dogs, Penny and, later, Buster. He was an avid gardener, an excellent cook, a voracious reader and an amateur small engine mechanic. Above all, Terry loved the water and spending time with his family, combining the two whenever possible.
Terry was a good man, thoughtful, smart and hardworking. He was loved by so many, but by his wife and children in particular. He is deeply missed and will never be forgotten.
Terry was predeceased by his mother, Flora Schmidt, and his father, Burton Haskell, and a sister, Lillian. Terry is survived by his wife, Karen, daughter Melissa Richards and partner Edwin Gilley, grandsons Dakota Frank and Caleb Richards, daughter Amanda Haskell and husband, Adrian Agostino, daughter Kaley Petros and husband, Matthew Petros, granddaughter Ariadne Petros, brother Dana Haskell and wife, Becky, and brother David Haskell and wife, Donna, two nephews, Justin Haskell and Seth Haskell, and a very special niece, Rachael Richmond, and their families.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Baroody, Dr. Hilal Hachem and Beacon Hospice. Per Terry’s wishes, the family will be having a private gathering in Little Deer Isle. If you would like to make a memorial donation, you may do so to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.