William T. Hazel

William T. Hazel, Jr., March 25, 2014, died peacefully surrounded by his entire family. Born in Ayer, MA, August 16, 1937, son of the late William T. Hazel, Sr., and Mildred (Garrick) Hazel, both of Harvard, MA, who were then caretakers for the Miriam Shaw estate on Old Littleton Road, Harvard. Billy, as he was called, went through the Harvard Schools graduating from Bromfield in 1955. He attended Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, MA. He worked part time going through school mowing lawns for many of the elderly in Harvard, and worked for the Town of Harvard Highway Department part time. After college he was employed since 1960 by Norton Company, now St. Gobain, until his retirement in 2002. He then managed his farm, Sunnywood Acres, at their home 150 Ayer Road, Harvard. In addition, he got his real estate license in 1965, and along with his wife Nancy, started Sunnywood Acres Realty. Through the years, he and Nancy ran horse shows for several horse clubs and to benefit Tufts Veterinary School of Medicine. He was a member of the Harvard Fire Department for twenty-three years, and a member of the Lions Club for thirty-one years. Bill offered his farm grounds for Norton Company picnics each summer, antique car shows, Firemen's Musters, Medieval Horse Shows, and the Lions Club's Craft Fair event for 20 years, now the Harvard Lions Club two-day Fall Festival. Bill was awarded the Harvard Lions Club Joe Camarda and Melvin Jones awards and was given an honorary membership for life in the Club. Bill, Nancy, sons Bob and David, daughter Suzanne, their spouses, and several good friends started the Hazel Christmas Tree Cut Your Own along with the Christmas Tree Shop. Bill along with Nancy have donated their time to many benefits including the Town of Harvard's 250th Celebration in 1982, New England Pony Owners and Breeder's Association and New England Horseman's Council, Harvard Athletic Association and Harvard Park and Recreation Commission. Bill was the Animal Inspector for the Town of Harvard, and Coach of Harvard Youth Baseball for several years. Bill leaves his wife Nancy (Ryan) Hazel of 53 years marriage, son Robert, his wife Darlene, and their 2 children Jennifer and Robert, Jr, his son David and wife Gina and their children Michael, Lindsey and Nicholas, and daughter Suzanne Dutkewych, and her four children Alexandra, Nathaniel, Dmitri, and Natalia.