My name is Alex Sherr and I am assistant Harbormaster as is Frank Kunz and we work for Tom 
Leach. 

Tom and Jackie regret that they could not be here as young Tommy is graduating this afternoon 
from Tufts University. However, Tom has asked me to read a few words about  Alex Haas on 
this occasion of the dedication of a park in his name. These are his words:

Fellow Sailors and Friends,

We are here today to pay tribute to our growing family who has “crossed the bar”. It is they that 
we remember as sailors, mariners, friends, comrades; all who had a close connection with our 
beloved harbor. Alex Haas and Nick Szado are now remembered here when we come and visit.

I want to thank all the folks who worked so hard on this park project that we are here today to 
dedicate. Our sincerest appreciation goes to Neil Tomkinson, Priscilla Eastman, Phil and Donna 
Smith, and Cheryl Poore, for believing in the need for an Alex Haas Memorial Park and 
following it through channels. I also wish to thank the Harwich Board of Selectmen for there 
undivided support.  

This quiet spot has been near and close too many for more than ten years. We thank park keepers 
Priscilla, BA Asewec, Tina Maloney, Jeanie Bagley, and Louise Paulus for their gardening and 
landscaping each spring. We also thank Master Chief Dick Paulus who spends a lot of time 
watering our plants and trees in summer. Thanks to the contribution of many, we have these new 
stones and improvements and a lovely cherry tree. All of this has added to the beauty of 
Saquatucket Harbor.

Bill Maloney’s fine craftsmanship in making these most wonderful benches is shear joy, a 
sailor’s bench built by a sailor for a sailor. I am sure if Alex Haas was with us today he would be 
incredibly pleased with his new bench. I am certain his spirit is somewhere smiling about this 
beautiful Park we have created and just maybe, if you believe it, when it is very quiet Alex may 
come pay a visit. 

I consider myself very fortunate to have sailed with Alex on Chinook and got to know his 
determination for aspiring as a skilled sailor who touched many. But it was putting six foot-one 
Alex together with brother Matt in the 420 for Nauset High sailing team that really showed their 
skillfulness. It is fitting that our new entrance rock bearing Alex’s name is engraved with a line 
drawing of a 420 Dinghy. Last June, I helped Race Committee the Cape & Island Championship 
on Pleasant Bay and watched the boys sail to a Division-A second place finish with wildly 
consistent scores of 4-4-3-2-1-1. 

Alex Haas worked and sailed from this harbor and now he has a permanent home here for which 
this park is now dedicated in his name.

My condolences to the Haas Family and I hope somehow that you find contentment here. 

Respectfully,
Tom Leach, Harbormaster