Obituary of Dewey Hathaway

Dewey D. Hathaway, a man of faith and family passed away on Tuesday evening, February 23, 2016 at the Lahey Hospital in Burlington where he volunteered for 10 years. He was 81 years old. Dewey was born and raised in Gardner, Maine. He was the son of the late Irvin and Josephine Hathaway. He was a graduate of Gardner High School and continued his education at Northeastern University. He spent 33 years working as an Insurance Adjuster retiring from Wausau Insurance Company at the age of 62 Dewey met his future wife, Patricia Smith, when they were both working at Metropolitan State Hospital. Dewey was an office worker and Pat was a student nurse. They married in 1958 and settled in Burlington 49 years ago to raise their family. He was an outgoing and concerned individual who was a greater talker, but even a better listener. He enjoyed 57 years of marriage with his wife Pat. They loved raising their children and being a part of their lives. Dewey enjoyed spending time with his sons in New Hampshire, going out for a meal and keeping up with the events of their lives. He worked with Pat in Childcare Ministry for 10 years. Children put a smile on his face. He would carry gold dollar coins in his picked giving them out to the children he knew and didn’t know. Sometimes an adult would get one too. He and Pat also found a second family when they became members in 1978 of Grace Chapel Church in Lexington Massachusetts. Dewey was a very active member of the church and was gratified to see the congregation grow and grow over the years. He was a member of the Choir and a vibrant part of the church community. He really found his place at Grace Chapel and as a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are lay persons equipped to provide one-on-one Christian care to the individuals in our community who are experiencing crisis or difficult life situations. Dewey mentored over 30 men listening, counseling, and comforting them as the traversed difficult event in their lives. It was there that Dewey really opened his arms and heart to those in need and traveled alongside them during their times of need. After his ministry was complete he would continue his support in hand written notes of encouragement to those men letting them know the he, their church, and most importantly their God was present for them during their highs and lows of the their life. He truly made a difference in men’s lives in his daily life as well as his ministry. Dewey was the beloved husband of Patricia (Smith) Hathaway. He was the loving father of Kevin of Atkinson, NH, Mark of Derry, NH, Timothy of Great Barrington, and the late Cheryl Ann Hathaway. He was the brother of Mary Jane Cone of GA, Sharon Brown, Robert, Donald & Paul all of Gardner, NE, the late John, Irvin, Richard, and David. He was the grandfather of Alisha, Amanda, Jeremy, and Brandon Hathaway. Great grandfather of Layla. At a date to be announced, there will be a Memorial Service for Dewey at Grace Chapel and all his relatives and friends will be respectfully invited to honor and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dewey’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.