Haskell Pawling MacCowatt of Summit, N.J., and Edgartown, died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 16, surrounded by his family. He was 82.

Paul was born April 15, 1931 in Plainfield, N.J. He attended Westfield schools, received a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a master’s from MIT Sloan School of Management. After college, he served two years in the U.S. Army.

He began his career at Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBDO) as a copywriter and account executive. He later joined CBS Inc. in New York, where he worked for 26 years, including serving as vice president of investor relations, vice president and treasurer, and retired as senior vice president of administration in 1988.

Throughout his life, he was active in a variety of civic, cultural and educational organizations. He was president of the Summit Common Council, chairman of the board of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, president of the board of the Reeves Reed Arboretum and a trustee of the Summit Area Public Foundation. He was a trustee emeritus of Colgate University.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending summers in Edgartown with his family and friends. He was president of the Edgartown Reading Room, president and a trustee emeritus of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust and a trustee of the Edgartown Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret Gentles MacCowatt; son Thomas H. MacCowatt (Anne L.) of New Vernon, N.J., daughters Nancy M. Sanford of New York, N.Y., and Sally M. Black (Josiah M.) of Keswick, Va.; and seven grandchildren: Mimi, Ginny, Liza, Will, Tommy, Grace and Blake.

Funeral services were private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 5277, Edgartown, MA 02539, mvpreservation.org, or Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, N.Y. 13346, colgate.edu.