Thomas Norman Hazen

1935 - 2026

Thomas Norman Hazen

South Hadley, MA - Thomas Norman Hazen, passed away on February 16, 2026, at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. Born on April 2, 1935, in Holyoke, MA he was the son of the late John Norman and Marie (Weis) Hazen. Tom was the devoted husband of Jane Hazen.

Tom has long been a very active figure in the Holyoke area. He grew up in Holyoke. He raised his children in Holyoke. The Hazen Paper Company (founded in 1925 by John N. Hazen) has its main manufacturing campus in Holyoke.

In 1999, after an extremely productive 40 year career, Tom deservedly retired from management responsibilities and decision making at Hazen Paper and turned his immense energies on a wide range of outside interests. In his golden decades Tom pursued his passion for civic involvement, socializing with his many friends, skiing, tennis, hiking, sailing, painting, opera, the Springfield Symphony, the arts and his beloved grandchildren. Tom was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church (Center Church) of South Hadley and was a member of the Holyoke Rotary Club, Inc. "The 39ers" and "The Club."

In his retirement Tom did a significant amount of work as a volunteer for several important non-for-profit organizations in the Holyoke area. He was on the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Medical Center, previously known as The Holyoke Hospital, for a number of years and on the Center Churches Investment Committee. He was a member of the Holyoke Public Library's Investment Committee. Tom also served for a number of years on the Mayor of Holyoke's industrial Development Advisory Committee. Tom was an active member of the Holyoke Taxpayer Association for decades.

In 2001, Tom was the recipient of "The Dwight Award," an award given yearly to an area resident who has distinguished himself or herself as a servant of the Greater Holyoke Community. Marie Weis Hazen (Tom's mother) received the award in 1958 and her father (Tom's grandfather) Joseph B. Weis was the first recipient of "The Dwight Award" in 1940.

In the broader Massachusetts Community, Tom served as a member of the Board of Directors on AIM, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, a Boston based organization that works to get the local, state, and national governments to provide a climate that is friendly to private businesses. Tom was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Economic Developmental Council of Western Massachusetts. The EDC has goals very similar to AIM but focused on the Western Massachusetts Economy. Tom participated in meetings of The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

In his retirement years Tom cheered on Hazen Paper's many expansions into holographic production and its myriad technological complexities. Tom was very proud to see the company remain 100% Hazen family owned and grow as an employer during the turbulent and uncertain early decades of this new century. Hazen Paper relentlessly pushed ahead during a murky era of offshoring, downsizing, economic upheaval and the epidemic of plant shutdowns that plagued the American manufacturing sector. Hazen's success despite the adversity was immensely gratifying to Tom.

Tom was predeceased by his wife Jane Hazen in 2019 and tragically by his youngest son Thomas (Tommy) W.D. Hazen in 2023. Tom is survived by his eldest son John H. Hazen (President of Hazen Paper) of South Hadley and daughter Maria (Hazen) Lewis of Furlong, PA.

Since 2019 Tom spent most Sundays and holidays at the home of John and Gloria Hazen on Cedar Ridge in South Hadley enjoying Gloria's culinary bounty and hospitality with a wide range of guests including his many grandchildren and son Tommy (until his passing in 2023). Since 2009 Tom has resided in Loomis Village South Hadley within a very short (walking) distance of John and Glorias home.

In 2018 Tom was slowed down by medical challenges but he was able to live independently with the help of local family and a group of devoted caregivers whom he adored. And his trusty wheelchair van gave him freedom and allowed him to regularly visit his favorite restaurants like The Parthenon, Cal's and The Boat House. In December of 2025 Tom checked in to Reeds Landing in Springfield for skilled nursing care although he retained and hoped to return to his South Hadley apartment. Su Castillo. Alas, that was not to be.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 4th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home. A Memorial Service follows at 12:30pm at the First Congregational Church (Center Church) of South Hadley. The family cordially invites all to gather after the service at 1:30pm at Willits Hallowell in South Hadley for a luncheon. The burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Center Church of South Hadley.