Wayne E. Hatch

EAST ORANGE — Wayne E. Hatch, 83, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at the Central Vermont Medical Center, with his family at his bedside.

The son of Edna Hayes and Clyde Hatch Sr., Wayne was born in Groton, Vermont on April 21, 1935 and attended elementary school at the East Orange School House. On October 18, 1952, Wayne married Beverly Hood. The couple shared 66 years together, living in East Orange and raising seven beloved children.

A blacksmith by trade, Wayne spent much of his adult life working at McLeods in Barre. There, he gained notoriety as the man who could repair nearly anything, even when most had lost hope. An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Wayne loved hunting, fishing, camping with his family, motorcycling, and snow machining. He loved gardening and, in his retirement, grew pumpkins and sunflowers that won awards at fairs and competitions around the state.

A beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Wayne is survived by his wife, Beverly Hatch and his seven children Kathleen Hatch, Vicky Laprise, Rebecca O’Meara, Luanne Madison, Carol Thurston, Maryellen Miller, and Earl Hatch, his 16 grandchildren, and his 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two of his five siblings, Jackie Bowen and Clayton Hatch.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Mary Lund and brothers Neal Clyde Jr. and Errol.

A remembrance ceremony will be held at the Hatch family home this spring. The date is to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the East Orange Cemetery, where Wayne was a dedicated caretaker for several decades. Donations can be made by mail to: East Orange Cemetery, c/o Donald Douglas, Treasurer. 21 Douglas Road, West Topsham, Vt. 05086.