In Memoriam: RFH Class of ’95 Grad, Paul D. Hatch, 47

The loved ones of Paul Hatch, who passed away in 2023, recently released his obituary …

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Class of 1995 graduate, Paul D. Hatch, beloved and devoted son, friend, brother, and uncle passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 21, 2023, in Little Silver. He was 47.

The family held a private remembrance in the summer.

The loss of Paul “was an incredible, profound loss, of a good soul where so much seemed hopeful and possible.”

“As a teenager, he taught himself the guitar. He was always willing to teach and share his love of music with younger family and friends, providing bottomless encouragement and uninhibited entertainment. Paul also liked to surf and one of his boards now hangs in the original Ron Jon Surf Shop in Long Beach Island.

“One of Paul’s greatest joys was spending time with his dog, Sam, and playing music with Attic Static, a rock band he started and which played at bars and private parties on the Jersey Shore. He was a talented songwriter, an accomplished guitarist, and a respected and loved mentor to his bandmates. He also possessed a wonderful observational sense of humor!

“He was a lover of all animals, especially the various cats and dogs he knew throughout his life as devoted companions. One of Paul’s greatest joys was spending time with his dog, Sam, and playing music with Attic Static, a rock band he started and which played at bars and private parties on the Jersey Shore. He was a talented songwriter, an accomplished guitarist, and a respected and loved mentor to his bandmates. He also possessed a wonderful observational sense of humor …

“Paul especially loved family gatherings and conversations around a table. Some of his favorite food pleasures were mudslides at The Oar, a cheeseburger at Barnacle Bills, milkshakes, fixing his ‘world-famous’ fajitas or stir fry, nachos grande, and Western omelets (at a Jersey diner!).

“An eternal optimist who never knew a stranger, Paul always saw the best in people. His true self was kind, compassionate, funny, supportive, and unencumbered. He possessed a generous and forgiving heart …

“Paul will be forever missed by his family, friends, and bandmates as a precious gem of a human being.”
Loved ones of Paul Hatch in his obituary

More about Paul Hatch …

Born in Montclair on July 3, 1976, Paul was affectionately called the family’s “Bicentennial baby.” His birth’s timing, perhaps, accounted for his becoming an avid military history enthusiast.

He enjoyed reading books and magazines from his favorite armchair and traveling to battlefields near and far: from American Revolution and Civil War sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the World War battlefields and memorials in Belgium and France. “His endless curiosity, and ability to recall historic events, people, and dates were truly remarkable.”

Paul traveled and experienced many unique adventures: driving the coast of California looking for the best surfing waves; a wild boar hunt in Luxembourg; backpacking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and the Green Mountains of Vermont; and sightseeing in Hawaii, Japan, the UK, and Europe.

He treasured summer vacations in Block Island, RI, and spending time with family.

Always up for anything, Paul was a bit bigger than life to his nieces and nephews whenever he visited. He loved telling ghost stories and pondering unsolved mysteries, playing backgammon, starting puzzles, winter sledding in New England and Belgium, or starting an impromptu jam session with guitars and ukuleles.

Paul leaves behind: his mother, Marianna Hatch of Little Silver; sister, Tamara Sanne-Hatch; brothers, Christopher (Michael) and Andy (Holly); nieces, Alexandra, Sophie, and Kelsey Hatch-Self (Quinn); nephew, William; cousins; and his dog and best friend, Sam.

He was predeceased in death by his father, David J. Hatch.

Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank was entrusted with the arrangements.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home