Obituary of Jerome Hatch

Jerome Corbin Hatch, born on October 29, 1925 in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Ruel and Margaret (King) Hatch entered into eternal peace on August 12, 2014 while a resident at the VA Medical Center at Lake Nona/Orlando, FL. Jerome is predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Ann Hatch. Jerome and Barbara started their married life in Waterbury, CT and then moved to Elizabeth, NJ where they lived for almost 40 years.

Shortly after his tenure of 37 years as a bench mechanic at Airtron Industries, Jerome and Barbara relocated to Port St. Lucie, FL to enjoy retirement together. Their children and their families soon followed. Jerome was a model of dedication, hard work and integrity to all who knew him. He was an exemplary father to Linda Kiriakis of Oviedo, FL, and Robert Hatch of Orange Park, FL and will forever be in the hearts of his brother, Edward Ruel Hatch of Waterbury CT, his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Jerome Corbin Hatch was an admired and proud veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II in Rhineland and Central Europe with the 745th Tank Battalion. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action on April 18, 1945 in the European Theater. He was also a recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Jerome received his Certificate of Disability of Discharge from Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, DC.

Above all else, Jerome loved his family, his country and God. His membership in organizations such as the Holy Family Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #113 of Port St. Lucie and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, St. Lucie County Chapter #650-FL, were just a few examples of such.

Due to illness, Jerome relocated to Central Florida in December 2013. Dad was honored and blessed to reside in the company of fellow war veterans at the VA Medical Center in Lake Nona during his last few months. He will be always loved, treasured and never forgotten. As his family, we thank God for His gift of Jerome Corbin Hatch and we feel honored to be able to call him husband, brother, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Friends may call the Forest Hills Funeral Home in Palm City, FL on Friday, August 22nd from 6-9 p.m. An Evening Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 23rd at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie.

The Rite of Committal will follow at the Forest Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum with Military Honors provided by the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #113, 1150 SW California Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953.