Erolle J. Haas died Saturday, July 18. He was 97 and the husband of the late Constance (Devereaux) Haas.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Simon and Rachel (Potter) Haas, lived in Providence and Warwick for many years before moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1979. He had been a winter resident of Deland, Fla. since 1990.

Mr. Haas was a graduate of Hope High School. He was a former New England wrestling champion and played semi-pro football for several years, known as “mule Haas.” He served in the Army Air Force during World War II.

He was a mechanical engineer with Jay Printing Company in Warwick before retiring in 1981. He was the plant superintendent at Rosbro Plastics for many years.

Mr. Haas was a founding member of the Olympic Club at the former Jewish Community Center on Benefit street in Providence. He was a member of the American Legion, Clam Harbor Yacht Club, a life member of the United States Power Squadron, and past commander of the Greenwich Bay Power Squadron.

He was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was very active in recreational boating on Narragansett Bay and taught power squadron boating and navigation courses for many years.

He was the dear father of William Haas, Meredith Cox, Kenneth Haas, Steven Haas, Sheila Sepe, Georgia Rossi and Jeffery Haas, a devoted grandfather of 19 and great-grandfather of 26. He was the brother of the late Meyer Haas, Ethyl Crovitz and Evelyn Minken.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, R.I. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice. For information and condolences, www.sugarmansinai.com.