Marblehead…..

Dr. Harold A. "Hal" Bantly, age 74, of Marblehead, husband for 49 years of Julia (Igo) Bantly, died Sunday evening in the Devereux House Nursing Home.

Born in Hartford, CT the son of the late Edward W. and Edith (Baedor) Bantly he was raised and educated in Glastonbury, CT. Dr. Bantly then received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University, his Master's Degree from Vanderbilt University, and his Doctorate from Boston University. For many years he was a Professor of Media and Communications at Salem State College and upon his retirement was named Professor Emeritus.

His passions included photography, a course he taught in the Salem State College Night School. He had also served as the Historian for the Old North Church, Marblehead.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Bantly is survived by his children Dr. Jeffrey Bantly and Dr. Leigh A. Markosky of Aurora, IL and Matthew Bantly and Elisabeth Malone of Cincinnati, OH; two brothers Neil Bantly of Brewster, MA and Anthony Bantly of Limington, ME as well as his nieces and nephews.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the First Church of Christ in Marblehead, Old North Church, 35 Washington St, Marblehead, MA. At the family's request there are no visiting hours. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Parkinson's Disease Research, c/o NATIONAL PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION, INC. 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494 or the Old North Church, 8 Stacey St, Marblehead, MA 01945. For online guest book or additional information please call 781 631 8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.