John Edward Haseltine

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Col. John Edward Haseltine, 81, of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, and Moody Beach, Maine passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Margaret E.(Cangiano) Haseltine, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

Born in Concord, New Hampshire, John was the son of the late B/Gen. Edward J. and Eleanor Metcalfe Haseltine.

He graduated college from the University of New Hampshire and joined the U.S.A.F as a pilot flying C-124s, C-141s, and C-5s. He flew the twin engine C-7 Caribou in Vietnam landing on all of the US controlled runways. John’s major commands included the UNH ROTC wing, the 76th Military Airlift Squadron, the Vice Wing Commander of the 60th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) and finally the Wing Commander of the 443rd MAW. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service medal with five oak leaf clusters. He received 27 additional medals honoring his service and valor.
John’s career reflected a life-long commitment to learning: graduating from Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Emory University’s Advanced Management Program, and from Auburn University with his Masters Degree in Business Administration.

John loved his time in the Air Force and told his grandchildren that it was never work for him to serve his country, but an honor. He played golf whenever he could, and truly enjoyed every minute of life with Margaret. John’s Air Force career moved his family more than twenty four times, creating strong bonds as they built their lives together in new places around the world. He was forever grateful to have Margaret at his side as he navigated multiple assignments including several command positions. In each of their assignments, John and Margaret focused on helping military families in need. He was blessed with a strong and close family on both sides, amazing friends, and enjoyed deeply the times they were able to be together.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his children, Karen L. Haseltine, Craig E. Haseltine and his wife Amy L., and Susan A. Hall and her husband Harry T. Hall, IV; two brothers, Mark M. and his wife Beverly Haseltine and Paul L. and his wife Johane Haseltine and by a sister-in-law, Lorraine and her husband Eugene McSweeney all of Wells, Maine. John is also survived by ten grandchildren, Brooke Haseltine, John Haseltine, Benjamin Haseltine, Cole Northrup, Grace Hall, Bella Northrup, Quinn Hall, Sofia Northrup, Abigail Hall and Troy Northrup.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Church, 120 St. Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

The family has established, the Colonel John E. Haseltine ’63 Endowment Scholarship Fund at the University of New Hampshire as memorial tribute to support cadets in the UNH Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the
Colonel John E. Haseltine ’63 Scholarship Fund
c/o The University of New Hampshire Foundation, Inc. 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824
TID: 02-0437506

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