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North Andover — James M. ”Babe” Gaskell, Sr., 94, of North Andover died, Friday, January 11, 2013, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Lowell with his family by his side. Mr. Gaskell was born in Fall River, and came to Lawrence as an infant. He has lived in North Andover for over 40 years. He was an avid sports enthusiast participating in most sports and played some pro football and baseball. He enjoyed working in his garden and spent many hours reading on all subjects from poetry to the classics.
Mr. Gaskell was a longtime member of First Calvary Baptist Church, North Andover and also served as a church deacon for many years. He served during World War II in The African and Italian Campaign and received The Purple Heart while in Italy. He was a former member of The VFW and The American Legion of Boston and served as commander of the latter.
Long active in Masonic affairs, he was Past Master of Cochickhewick Lodge, AF & AM, North Andover and was a member of St. Johns Lodge, AF & AM of Boston. He was a member of The Demolay Lodge of Boston and of The High Twelve, North Andover. He was Past District Grand Master in The Lawrence 11th Masonic District and was Past Jr. Grand Deacon of The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. He served as Grand Representative to The New Brunswick Grand Lodge of Masons and was a member of The Charters and by-laws committee of The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He was a member of All Scottish Rite Bodies in Lawrence, Lowell and Boston and was a Past Sovereign Price, Princes of Jerusalem. He served as Past Commander in Chief of Massachusetts Consistory in Boston and was a 33rd Degree Mason. He was also a member of The York Rite Bodies in Lawrence and Boston and was a member of The Saint Bernard Commandry and past director of The Boston Court of The Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of The Royal Order of Scotland and was a recipient of The Demolay Region of Honor. He was a member of The Past Masters Association of Aleppo Shrine Temple and was Past Potentate of Aleppo Shrine Temple and was a recipient of The Robert Gardner Wilson Medal. And received The Henry Price Medal from The Grand Lodge.
The widower of Emily L. (Sanderson) Gaskell and the father of the late, James M. Gaskell, Jr. His family members include, his nieces, Debbie Rowe of Elk River, Minn., Karen Lamoureux of Zephr Hills, Fla., Susan Campbell of Newport Richey, Fla., Nancy Dawsett of Charlestown, N.H. and Judith Habeeb of Salem, N.H. He also leaves his nephews, Henry R. Bevin, Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., Donald Bevin of Haines City, Fla., Richard Byers of Daytona Beach, Fla., Louis Sanderson of Methuen and John Hart of Marblehead; as well as, several great-nieces and great-nephews including, Kimberly Danahy and Charles Smith, Jr. of Salem, N.H. and godsons, James Baird of Claremont, N.H. and Steven Morrison of Pelham, N.H.; and one great-grandniece, Cecilia Morrison, whom he was particularly fond of, as well as his favorite pug, Millie. His family would like to extend their gratitude to his friends and staff at Heritage Manor for their kindness and caring care.
ARRANGEMENTS: Calling hours will be on Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be on Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. in First Calvary Baptist Church, 586 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover. Burial will be in Ridgewood Cemetery, North Andover.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Gaskell Family Memorial, First Calvary Baptist Church, 586 Massachusetts Ave., N. Andover, MA. 01845. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.dewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/dewhirstfuneralhome.
