Hal Ness, 94, helped lacrosse grow in S.C. schools
February 6, 2022
Harold M. Ness Jr. of Heritage Plantation, who helped develop lacrosse as a high school sport in South Carolina, died Sunday at his home. He was 94.
He was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Baltimore, the son of Harold M. and Anna Ullrich Ness. He attended Baltimore Friends School, where he lettered in football, basketball and lacrosse, graduating in 1946. He enlisted in the Army during World War II and served two years in the 24th Infantry Division in Japan attaining the rank of sergeant. After service he attended Hobart College, in Geneva, N.Y., graduating in 1952. While at Hobart he played football, basketball and lacrosse. He was a member of Sigma Phi Fraternity and president of the Interfraternity Council as well as a member of the Orange Key and Chimera honor societies.
Mr. Ness was the general agent for several life insurance companies from 1956 until 1977 when he formed his own company NIA Inc. He attained his CLU degree in 1965 and held officer positions in several professional organizations as well as the Kiwanis Club.
Lacrosse was his favorite sport and he served on the board and the executive committee of US Lacrosse, where he was named Director of the Year in 1991. Upon semi-retirement in 1997 he moved to Pawleys Island, and was a founder of the S.C. chapter of US Lacrosse. He helped build the sport to a position of being sanctioned by the S.C. High School League. He was honored by the chapter as their first Hall of Fame member, in 2004 and 2006. Known as “Sonny” while at Friends, he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela G. Ness; his daughters, Laura Peffers, Pamela Mackinnell and Sarah Robinson; his son, William Ness; his stepdaughters, Kimmberly Bulkley and Kelly Newman; his stepson, Scott Bulkley; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Memorials may be made to US Lacrosse, 2 Loveton Circle, Sparks, MD 21152.
