Raymond Charles Hatch

Raymond Charles Hatch, 56, of Pittsfield lost his 4-year battle with cancer on Sunday, May 2nd. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Ray was born in Pittsfield on September 8, 1964, to Raymund G. Hatch Jr. and Rosemary Jackson Hatch and was raised in Lanesboro. He attended Lanesboro Elementary School and Mt. Greylock Regional High School. Ray was very Patriotic and following school, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army National Guard for 15 years. Ray spent several years in North Carolina and became friends with many NASCAR personalities. At one point he was in the pit crew for Ricky Bryant of the Goody's Dash series as the gas man and also trailered the car around the country to show it.

Ray was a finish carpenter working first for Chris Porter and then for Berkshire Building and Remodeling. He was very proud of the work he did and posted several pictures on Facebook. Besides woodworking, he loved fishing, hunting, car shows, attending game dinners, and picking wild mushrooms. Whenever there was a gathering his mushroom soup was always on the menu.

Wherever Ray was he was a "ray" of sunshine. He had a terrific sense of humor and was never at a loss for jokes and he stayed positive during his illness. He was a very social person and had a very large circle of friends and was a huge supporter of local musicians, The Jill Gallagher Band and Bill Perkins band Live Wire among them. Ray had a huge heart and would volunteer his time as the doorman on the Jammin' for Jaycee's Fight for a Cure fundraiser team. The family would like to thank the Hospice Angels Kailey P., Melissa P., Danielle K., Dawn, and Linda and his many friends for their caring and support during this difficult time.

Besides his parents, Ray is survived by his son Raymond J. Imani, his daughter Kaitlyn Rose Imani (Lauren), his brothers Dennis Hatch, Frank Hatch (Sue), and sisters Debbie Granelli (Tom) and Lisa Cullett (Bruce), three nephews Corey Wixsom, Thomas Gonzales, and Walter Hatch, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Dery Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-7. Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral will be held graveside on Saturday at 11:00 am at Mountain View Cemetery on Ann Drive in Lanesboro. In lieu of flowers donations to help pay Ray's final expenses made out to Rosemary Hatch in care of the funeral home would be appreciated.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at the Lanesboro Fire Station following the funeral.