William V. Eskel, 73, of Methuen and Venice Florida passed away on December 24th at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill MA following an 8-month battle with brain cancer.
Born July 19, 1943, the son of William Eskel and Hazel Gaudet, Bill was raised in Haverhill and Groveland. He attended Haverhill Trade School and served in the US Army during the Vietnam war stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
His 50-year career in the transportation industry began as a driver for Lincoln Foods, Lawrence, MA. He began working for Lily Transportation Corporation in 1967 as a driver and rose to become Vice President of Operations. Retiring from that position at 67, he continued his employment with them until his illness.
Known by friends, neighbors and coworkers as a man of inexhaustible energy, Bill enjoyed working on renovation projects at home and at the home of his grandson, Joshua. An avid hiker, Bill climbed frequently in the White Mountains with children and grandchildren. At 66, he fulfilled a lifelong dream to hike the Colorado Rockies and achieved the summit of Mt. Long.
Growing up on the waters of the Merrimack River, Bill built several boats. Grandsons have special memories of learning to water ski and fish during summer vacations at Cobbett’s Pond, Windham, NH.
Besides his wife of 48 years, Beverly (Schultz)Eskel, he leaves son, Michael, daughter, Mary Eskel, grandchildren Andrew, Mariah, and Joshua and wife Ashley Eskel of Plaistow, NH Sisters, Judith Spinelli and Catherine (Aukschunas) Cyrulik of Beverly Hills Florida, Brother Robert Eskel and wife Carol of Danville NH, nieces Carrie, Sara, and Andrea and nephews, Stephen, Dominic and Christopher and several grand nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 4 to 8 at Pollards Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 11 am in St Monica’s Church, Methuen MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, MA.
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Eskel Family.