The Rev. John Hall

The Rev. John Hall (age 82) of Exeter, Rhode Island, died peacefully at home on October 7, 2018 of kidney disease. Born in Newport, RI, he was the son of the late Marguerite (Parker) and Richard Hall Witkowski (the family name was changed to Hall in 1938). He graduated from Trinity College and the Berkeley Divinity School and was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island in 1960. Among his duties, he was the chaplain at St. Andrews and the curate at St. Johns in Barrington. For 24 years, he served as the vicar of St. Augustines in Kingston and as the Episcopal chaplain at URI. He then moved to All Saints Church in Warwick for 7 years. For 38 years, he was always involved with the Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag, RI, including 17 years as the co-administrator. He followed with 4 years as the administrator of Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA. Father Hall is remembered for his humanity, his gentle wisdom, his fight for peace and perhaps most of all, for living his faith. He weaved that faith into his life. It was his guide and never used to belittle the beliefs of others but rather to bring people together. He cared deeply about humanity and saw each person as a unique individual with their own story. When you spoke to him, he listened, and you knew that you were important. He could give you a new perspective, help you to take responsibility or simply share in your pain. And no problem was too large or too small. He did not claim to have all the answers but he had a special ability to distill the important elements of any struggle. To find a way to bend each situation in a better direction. To lead and to act. Whether planting a flowerbed, counseling a parishioner or marching on Selma, he set about to improve the world. He was a great motivator and knew how to get people to work together. His hands are on so many community projects. Recognizing a need, he would gather the necessary people to get them started towards a solution. Among his many accomplishments, he was integral to the creation of a multi-faith Peace Mass that has run on Tuesday mornings since the Vietnam War. He organized a professional gathering to establish Hospice of Washington County in 1981. He was an advocate for saving the Kingston Train Station in the 1970s. He served on the Juvenile Board in Exeter with the aim of bettering the lives of troubled teenagers. He encouraged the establishment of an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter at St. Augustines, now in its 39th year. He also opened the parish hall to Canto II, a weekly music-filled coffee house. He opened the doors of All Saints Church to share with a Korean congregation. He taught through example and he took the path of responsibility, towards justice, towards peace. He fought for the human rights of all, people of color, women, LGBTQ, immigrants or anyone being treated unfairly. He had a lifelong passion for social justice. Another passion was for youth ministry. He was uplifted by the energy of young people. He was a teacher and father figure in so many lives. At the Episcopal Conference center in Pascoag, he was affectionately known as "Padre". He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Mary B. (Chase), four children: Ernest Wulff of Jamestown, RI, Elisabeth Hall Marcelin and her husband Jean of Lorton, VA, John Hall Jr. of Santa Monica, CA, and Samuel Rodman Hall of Denver, CO; four grandchildren: Chelsea, Andr, Christopher and Conner; and many dear friends. He was the brother of Richard Paul Hall of Washington D.C. and Robert Christopher Hall of Groton, CT. Calling hours will be from 3-7 pm on Friday, October 12 at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI. A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Conference Center, 872 Reservoir Rd, Pascoag, RI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Episcopal Conference Center, St. Augustines or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. http://www.eccri.org/support-ecc-1/ https://staugustineuri.org/give/