Ronald J. Pasek, 81, of Haverhill, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2014 at the Wingate at Haverhill Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.
Born in Beverly, he was the son of the late, Harry F. and Alice (Chaput) Pasek. He attended Beverly schools and was a graduate of Beverly High School, class of 1951. An outstanding athlete, he played football and baseball. A Korean War Veteran, he proudly served in Air Force as a pilot, stationed in Guam.
Pasek earned master degrees in history and education from Salem State College and pursued doctoral work at University of New Mexico. Having a long and varied career in both teaching and politics, he taught at the elementary and high school levels. He taught in many places; Greenfield, CA, Manchester Jr. and Sr. High School, Anaheim CA, Ipswich High and Gloucester High, and Vera Cruz, Mexico. He coached football and baseball at Manchester and Gloucester. During summer breaks he worked as head lifeguard at Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea. He also owned and operated a driving school in Berwick, ME. After retirement, Ron began a second career purchasing and restoring historical houses, many in Haverhill. He was very active politically; he helped organize the first visit of tall ships to Boston, he was appointed by then Governor Sargent as the Polish representative to his ethnic committee and worked on many senatorial campaigns in both Massachusetts and Maine. He also co-founded the Giving Tree Program in Rangeley, Maine.
He leaves a daughter; Cynthia A. McKinley, of Amesbury, three sons; Bradley J. Pasek and his wife, Laura, of Villa Hills, KY, Barry S. Pasek, of Bradford, and Bret J. Pasek, of Amesbury, a sister; Barbara Chapman, of Beverly and Florida, and a brother, Robert, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Harry and William.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave. Salem, MA 01970.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service for Ronald on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Calling hours are Friday evening from 6:00 until 8 p.m.