John (Pete) M. Hazel III, 94, of Gardner, MA died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Heywood Hospital of Gardner, after a brief illness.
Born in Clinton on April 11, 1932, he was the son of the late John M.Hazel, II. and Helen (McCue) Hazel. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1950 and later earned an associate degree in business administration from Worcester Junior College. Pete was a corporal and squad leader in the United States Marine Corps Korean War Era, serving from 1951 to 1954, receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He went on to have a long career as the personnel director at Burbank Hospital of Fitchburg, where he worked for many years until his retirement.
Pete was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Edward the Confessor Church of Westminster. Generous with his time and talent, in his younger years Pete was active in the church and several local organizations including Special Olympics, ARC, and the Beacon of Hope.
He loved adventure and staying active, especially outdoors, where he enjoyed hunting, boating, and fishing. He loved the game of golf and was an avid fan of football and baseball (once pitching a perfect no hitter game in high school).
Above all, Pete's greatest joy was his family. He cherished the 54 years spent at the family camp in Ossipee, New Hampshire. Throughout the years, every gathering with family or friends no matter how large or small was an opportunity to share his endless sense of humor and wisdom about life.
Pete is survived by two sons, Peter Hazel of Gardner and Kevin Hazel and his wife Donna of Hubbardston; one daughter, Mary Beth Hamel and her husband Bill of Center Ossipee, NH; grandchildren, Colleen Hazel, Maura, Sean and Keith Hamel, Patrick Hazel and Nikki Hazel; as well as several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved son, Michael Hazel; and his siblings, Martha Foley, David Hazel, and Michael Hazel. John's beloved wife of 71 years, Gensie Hazel, succumbed to a brief illness one day after her husband's passing. Truly a love story for the ages.
A period of visitation will be held Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church Street, Westminster, MA. A mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow at St. Johns Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org or The Beacon of Hope Community Services, Inc. P.O. Box 426, 62 West Street. Leominster, MA 01453 or at beaconofhopema.org. Please reference in memory of John M. Hazel, III.