Chester A. “Chet” Hathaway,
Chester A. “Chet” Hathaway, 87, of Dundee, Florida, formerly of Fairhaven, MA, Bridgewater Corners, VT, and Plymouth, VT, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024. He was born in Fall River, MA to the late Chester F. and Ruth H. (Vinal) Hathaway. He was married to Meredith (Richmond) Hathaway for 67 years.
Chet was raised in Fairhaven, MA and after graduating from Fairhaven High School in 1955, he entered the US Air Force where he proudly served as part of the Strategic Air Command. He was honorably discharged and moved with his family to settle back in Fairhaven in 1961.
Chet was employed at Hathaway Machinery Company, Hathaway-Braley Wharf, and Nice Ice for many years. He also owned Nor-Easter Charters taking bass-fishing charters out of Cuttyhunk Island and New Bedford. He also captained oil supply boats with Tidewater Marine out of Louisiana. He and Meredith also owned The Junction Country Store in Bridgewater Corners, VT.
During his time in Fairhaven, he was very involved in the Community. He was Town Moderator for 15 years, a Lieutenant on the Fairhaven Fire Department, Call Firefighter, on Engine 1. Chet was instrumental with the Festival of Flags and the Bicentennial Committee, among many other groups and committees. He was a member of the First Congregational Church where he served as a Deacon. He was also a member of the Grange while in Vermont.
He is survived by his wife, Meredith; three daughters, Debra Ann Hathaway of Fort Pierce, FL, Ruth Search and her husband, Robert, of Lake Wales, FL, and Lynne Gautreau and her husband, Roger, of Port Orange, FL; 8 grandchildren, Nathan Anderson, Heather Anderson, Douglas Anderson, David Richardson, Joshua Lewis, Sarah Lewis, Mariatu Search, and Nicholas Gautreau; and 13 great-grandchildren. Also survived by his brother-in-law John Nelson; a niece Dorothy O’Rourke; and nephews, Douglas Hathaway, Stephen Hathaway, and John Nelson. Predeceased by his parents; his sister Ann; brothers Leonard and Chester F.; his grandson Christopher Gautreau; nephews Leonard Hathaway and Marc Hathaway; niece Hope-Ann Pinard; and sisters-in law Barbara Nelson and M. Louise Hathaway.
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