Paul D. Hatch

Paul D. Hatch, 47, beloved and devoted son, friend, brother, and uncle passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 21, 2023, in Little Silver, NJ. It was an incredible, profound loss, of a good soul where so much seemed hopeful and possible.
Born in Montclair, NJ on July 3, 1976, Paul was affectionately called the family's "Bicentennial baby" and perhaps this timing 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.
In 1995, Paul graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. 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!
Though his life ended too soon, 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. He was a lover of all animals, especially the various cats and dogs he knew throughout his life as devoted companions. 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 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.
He leaves behind his mother, Marianna Hatch of Little Silver, NJ; sister, Tamara Sanne-Hatch; brothers, Christopher (Michael) and Andy (Holly); nieces Alexandra, Sophie, and Kelsey Hatch-Self (Quinn); and nephew William; along with cousins, and his dog and best friend, Sam. He was predeceased in death by his father, David J. Hatch. Paul will be forever missed by his family, friends, and bandmates as a precious gem of a human being.
The family held a private remembrance in the summer. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ was entrusted with the arrangements.