Robert W. Hatala

HATALA, Robert W. Robert W. Hatala, 66, beloved husband of Patricia (Kaczmarek) Hatala of South Windsor, died suddenly at Backus Hospital, Norwich. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 21, 1943, son of the late Charles and Mary (Buchko) Hatala, he had lived in South Windsor for the last 38 years. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and Master's degrees in Engineering and Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, having achieved his MBA at the age of 59. Before retiring three years ago, he was a metallurgical engineer at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford for 40 years. He was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Church, active with the St. Vincent dePaul Society and was a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital with the Mended Hearts Program. Bob also delivered food to soup kitchens and volunteered with Special Olympics. Among his interests, he enjoyed cheering for the Steelers, Red Sox and the Penguins and for more than twenty years he made donuts for Masses on Sunday. Bob enjoyed traveling or just relaxing on Cape Cod with his family and friends. Bob was a history buff, an avid reader, a gardener and a dedicated member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 5779 of South Windsor. In addition to his wife, Pat, he leaves their daughters, Angela Hatala of Ellington, Cynthia Drupa and her husband, Peter of Norwich and Christina Scully and her husband, Jes of Natick, MA; a brother, Charles Hatala and his wife, Ellen of Dawsonville, GA; a sister, Mary Grace Romac and her husband, Nicholas of Pittsburgh, PA and five grandchildren, Hayden, Ryan, Addison, Phoebe and Alex. Family and friends may gather, Friday, 9 a.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road, South Windsor. Burial will follow in Wapping Cemetery, South Windsor. His family will receive friends, Thursday from 5-8 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society c/o St. Margaret Mary Church, 06074. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit us at www. carmonfuneralhome.com