Eight Bells: Tom Hazlehurst

Thomas Edgar Hazlehurst, 84 of North Kingstown, RI sailed away peacefully on a sunny Saturday morning, November 17, 2018. He lived in Rhode Island his entire life and he called the waters of Narragansett Bay his home starting in Beetle Cats at the age of 11. He continued on to win many championships in many different classes.

After high school he attended Brown University, graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in 1956. He was the Captain of the Brown Sailing Team in 1955 and 1956. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1956-1959. He is a member of the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame, a member of the Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Hall of Fame, a winner of the 1956 Olympic Finn Dinghy Trails and a finalist for selection in sailing in the 1956 Olympics.

When Tom wasn’t sailing or running the largest independent advertising, marketing, and public relations agency in Rhode Island, Potter Hazlehurst, he was promoting sailing and the ocean.

He served as President of the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association. He was the founding secretary of Save the Bay. He was the Commodore of the East Greenwich Yacht Club. A trustee and Fleet Captain of the New York Yacht Club. A member of the Rhode Island State Yachting Committee. A chairman of the Newport to Bermuda Race and also the Fleet Captain of Cruising Club of America.

He was a man of great class and respect.

He was the beloved father to his three daughters, Lynn Hazlehurst, Nancy Deutsch and Pam Thompson. He was the loving grandfather to his six grandchildren, Alex Hood, Alyssa Flynn, Jared Cross, Leigha Shanahan, Heather Cross, and Martina Cross. He also leaves three great grandchildren Kyler, Leighaunna, and Jameson.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in his memory to Sail Newport, 72 Fort Adams Drive, Newport RI 02840 or Save the Bay at savebay.org.