Obituary of William A. Haines

Dr. William Haines (affectionately known as Dr. Bill), 82, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He’s the son of the late Jean (Lord) and Harry Haines.  A proud graduate of Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Science and Medicine, class of 1965, he was later honored with the Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award. A Hartford Hospital set up between the veterinarian and a nurse was actually what brought him and his wife, Joan (Gage) Haines, together. They were married 58 years, faithful members of Wethersfield’s First Church of Christ and raised 3 children in the community.  Dr. Bill became the owner of the Hartford Veterinary Hospital and worked tirelessly there for 59 years. He never missed an opportunity to advocate for animals and support others, serving as past president of both the CT and New England Veterinary Medical Associations. He was also CT’s first Veterinarian of the Year. As a member of the Board of Directors of Newington Children’s Hospital, Dr. Bill helped start the original pet therapy program in 1990. His service didn’t stop there as he was a past president of the Newington Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He helped lead the Friends of Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center and was a longtime volunteer for Heifer International. Whether through veterinary visits, coffee shop conversations or his signature hugs, Dr. Bill showed us every day how to live a truly love led life and would want nothing else to be his legacy. He’s survived by his devoted wife Joan Haines; sisters Pamela Willard (Derek) of IA, Joy Haines of CT and Barbara Haines (Rod) of CA; his children Kimberly Jacques (Michael) of ME, Jeffrey Haines (Stephanie) of CT, and Todd Haines (Kristin) of TX; and his beloved grandchildren Molly, Skylar, Gage, Tucker and Austin along with many nieces and nephews. He also lives on in the countless number of friends he made everywhere he went. A memorial service will be held at First Church of Christ, 250 Main St, Wethersfield, January 6 at 2 p.m. with the snowdate being January 7 at 2 p.m. There will be a private burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Contributions can be made in his honor to the church, CT Humane Society, where he was a board member or the Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England, which he helped start: www.veterinaryscholarshiptrust.org. The family kindly asks that you send thoughts, stories, and photos to skylar.e.haines@gmail.com to be compiled.