T. Erie Haste, Jr.

T. Erie Haste, Jr., 90, of Hertford, N.C. passed away on January 4th in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Born October 1, 1934 in Edenton, Erie was the only son of the late T. Erie Haste, Sr. and the late Nezzie Perry Haste.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he owned and operated Hertford Hardware and Supply company from 1958 to 2024 - making it one of the longest continuously operating businesses in Hertford, NC. He also owned and operated Elizabeth City's City Marina and Haste Real Estate Company. Erie devoted his life and leadership to his family, state and community. Erie started his dedicated service to his community and state at the young age of 15 when he was a tour guide on the first historical house tour in Edenton & Chowan County in 1949. The tour was called Edenton Historical Pilgrimage.

His contributions to the State of North Carolina have included: Charter member and past president of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, Twenty-year member of Hertford Town Council, Board member of the Bank of Hobbsville, past member of the steering committee for the East Carolina University School of Medicine, member of the board of trustees for the Museum of the Albemarle, and president of the 10-county Albemarle Area Development Association. While serving on AADA, he was instrumental in forming the Albemarle Regional Planning and Development Commission (ARPDC) which today is committed to assisting the needy in the area. Erie was a member and past president of the Hertford Rotary Club, which he joined in 1955 making him the longest tenured member of this chapter. In 1974, Erie was appointed by Governor Holshouser to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission During his tenure with the NCCRC, he was instrumental in helping preserve North Carolina's coastlines and balancing the competing interests of coastal developers and environmentalists. His unbiased and sound judgment, keen insights, and experience were hallmarks of his tenure with the NCCRC and led to reappointments by three different NC governors. He has been a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal church since 1959 and had many years of dedicated service on the vestry including senior warden, lector, and usher. His love and unselfish, dedicated service to the state and his local community have resulted in him being awarded the North Carolina governor's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, "for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments." He was also awarded the Old North State Award presented by the governor to recognize "dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina." If you knew Erie, you knew you could find him at Hertford Hardware 6 days a week. When not at the store, he would be enjoying his back deck overlooking the river he loved so much.

T. Erie is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Suzanne Towe Haste; sister, Chrystal Haste Towe; and son, Thomas "Tommy" Erie Haste, III.

He is survived by his sister Faye Haste Lewis (Stan) of Kennesaw, Ga.; his daughters Sanders Haste Ferraro of Winston Salem and Patti Haste Chiacchiero (John) of Hilton Head Island, SC; grandchildren Joseph Ferraro (Juli), Matthew Ferraro (Kimberly), Jacob Ferraro (Kendall) and Micah Ferraro (Kassidy); and great grandchildren; Sarah, Amelia, Hayden, Brooklyn, Lorelei, Ezra, Aria, Adaline, Peyton and Jonah; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 S. Church Street, Hertford, NC on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 S. Church Street Hertford, NC 27944 or to the Perquimans County Arts League, 113 N. Church Street, Hertford, NC 27944.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Homes & Crematory of Hertford, NC is assisting the Haste Family.