Florence, MA – Ralph E. Hathaway, Jr., 74, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born February 13, 1947 In Northampton, Massachusetts, he was the son of Ralph E. Hathaway Sr. and Eva May Hathaway (Jenks). Ralph leaves behind his loving wife of 40 years, Susan Hathaway (Ducharme). Ralph was the oldest of 6 siblings: Robert Hathaway and wife Diane Hathaway (Dragon) of Palm Bay, FL, Diane Hargraves and husband David of Easthampton, MA, Herbert Hathaway (deceased) and wife Cindy (McCarthy) of Athol, Joyce Hathaway (deceased) and Debbie Hathaway (deceased). He is predeceased by his mother and father-in-law Archie and Joan Ducharme.
Ralph attended Smith Vocational School in Northampton, MA. He worked as a machinist at Pro-Brush in Florence, MA for many years then worked at Chartpak in Leeds, MA as a supervisor from 1983 to 2018. Ralph was a lover of all things outdoors. He enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling, hunting and fishing. Ralph was a member of the Chesterfield 4 Seasons snowmobile club where he was recognized for all his hard work cutting and grooming trails with his best friend and father- in- law Archie Ducharme (2008).
In addition to his devoted wife Susan, Ralph leaves behind his 5 children: Karlene Hathaway and her husband David Foster (2020) of Huntington, MA, Ralph Hathaway III and his wife Donna (Cayo) of Greenfield, MA, Melanie Jacque and husband Michael Jacque of Belchertown, MA, Matthew Hathaway and wife Rachael (Gessing) of Chesterfield, MA and Amy Hathaway and her husband Richard Watling of Northampton, MA and his many grandchildren Tony Morton, Jordan Andrews, Sarah Paradee, Dewey Hathaway, Ally Mott, Danika Mott, Abigail and Nicholas Watling and great granddaughter Selina along with many nieces and nephews.
Ralph was a gentle man and was kind to everyone he met. He enjoyed many hunting seasons alongside his sons Ralph and Matthew and his best buddies Ronny Jones (deceased), William Rogers and John Grygorcewicz at the Jones’ family hunting camp.
Services are private. At the convenience of the family a celebration of life will be held.