John Edwin Veasey, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts, passed away in the company of his family on June 27, 2019 at his home on Brockton, Ave.

Born Feb. 17, 1930 to Decia Beebe and Arthur Hale Veasey, John Edwin grew up at 5 Windsor Street in Haverhill with three siblings, Arthur Hale Veasey Jr., Decius Beebe Veasey, and Katherine Ensign  Veasey. Affectionately known to his friends and loved ones as “Ed”  or “Eddie,” he devoted his life to his family, country, friends, and community.

Ed attended high school at Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts and graduated in 1949. He enrolled at Syracuse University and joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) fraternity, eventually becoming president of the Phi Gamma Chapter of DKE. He enjoyed a stellar career on the varsity lacrosse team, rounding out an All-American squad as a high-scoring midfielder. While at school, Ed also had the profound pleasure to meet and court Zoe Mary Marshall, a young woman from Munnsville,
New York, who quickly became the love of his life. The two graduated in 1953  and were married shortly thereafter.

Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and underwent basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina. He became a 1st lieutenant while stationed at Quantico, Virginia, and spent nine months of his commitment as an embarkation officer in Japan. He thoroughly enjoyed his time as a proud member of the Marines.

After leaving the service, Ed took a job as a mortgage teller at the Haverhill Savings Bank, and eventually enrolled in the Graduate School of Savings Banking at Brown University. He obtained his degree and assumed the role of vice president of the Family Mutual Savings Bank, and later, became the director of TB Banknorth, a position he held
until his mandatory retirement at age 72.

While at the bank, Ed, with the help of his wife and two business partners, founded Cedardale, a four-court tennis club on Boston Road in Haverhill in 1971. Together, they grew the club from humble roots into one of the largest and most successful multi-purpose health and fitness clubs in the country, and a true fixture in the Merrimack Valley. Ed was intimately involved at Cedardale from the beginning, and with his family, he actively managed a two-year rebuild and reopening after the original building burnt down in the winter of 2017.

In addition to serving his country, Ed was very active in his community. He was a Freemason and member of Merrimack Lodge F. & A.M. and served on the board of trustees of the Haverhill Public Library for many years. He also gave his time as the president of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, and was involved with the Haverhill Rotary Club. Ed also loved his many years with the Monday Evening Club, a 25-member group that has been active in Haverhill since 1860.]

In his free time, Ed enjoyed an unparalleled ardency for sailing, a lifelong passion that he excitedly shared with everyone he knew. He skippered many cruises in his lifetime, including adventures to Alaska, Bermuda, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. Every summer he could be found at the helm of the Thistle and the Zoe Mary, named for his wife and devoted first mate, plying the waters around Squirrel Island, Maine, where he spent his summers at the Veasey family vacation home.

In the wintertime, enjoyed weekends in North Conway, New Hampshire, pursuing his other passion – skiing the slopes of Bretton Woods and Wildcat Mountains. He was also an avid tennis player and could be found on the courts at Cedardale nearly every day.

Ed is survived by his wife, Zoe, and five children; Ada McKenzie, Valerie Veasey, John Veasey Jr., Kate Sirois, and Carolyn Jackson. He is also survived by his 13 loving grandchildren; Bryce McKenzie, Marshall McKenzie, Grace Veasey, Katie Veasey, Addie McKenzie, Zoe McKenzie, Edwin Sirois, Lucille Sirois, Leland Sirois, Lawson Sirois,
Beebe Jackson, Veasey Jackson, and Liberty Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, Ed and his family have requested donations be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, and the Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill will be private. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com