Fairhaven – Harold L. “Bucky” Thatcher, 82, of Rodman Street, Fairhaven, formerly of Pinehurst Street, North Dartmouth died at home, Saturday, October 2, 2004. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (Hicks) Thatcher.
He was born in Dartmouth, son of the late Harold D. and Irene (Pratt) Thatcher, and had been a lifelong resident of Dartmouth. He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church, Dartmouth. He graduated from the Longwood College in Virginia for the study of the Civil War. Prior to his retirement he worked as a radio room operator for the State of Massachusetts and then as manager of the highway department for the State of Massachusetts. He also served as fence inspector for the Town of Dartmouth.
Mr. Thatcher was a United States Army veteran who served during WWII in Guadal Canal on Sebu and Fort Bragg, North Carolina during the Cuban Crisis. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, and the WWII Victory Medal while bravely protecting his country. He was a member of Dartmouth V.F.W. Post 9059 and was a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by 2 sons: George R. Thatcher and his wife Cecelia of Fairhaven and Paul T. Thatcher of Little River, South Carolina; a brother: Normand Thatcher and his wife Rita of Acushnet; a sister: Violet King of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; 8 grandchildren: George R. Thatcher, Jr. and his wife Cindy of Acushnet, Bruce Thatcher and his companion Jenn Mello, Thomas Thatcher and his wife Marcie, Elaine M. Robichaud and her husband Scott, Sean P. Thatcher and his companion Jennifer Leonardo all of Fairhaven, David Thatcher and his wife Helen of Attleboro, Douglas Thatcher and his wife Kristine of Mansfield, and Steven Thatcher and his wife Jennifer of South Carolina; 15 great grandchildren: Jay Augustine and Jamie Green of New Bedford, Daniel, Bruce Jr., Caitlynn, Ian, Kristine, Hallie and Sean Thatcher, Jr. all of Fairhaven, Zachary and Ryan Robichaud of Fairhaven, Rachael and David Thatcher, Jr. of Attleboro and Steven and Logan Thatcher of Mansfield; 4 great great grandchildren: Jordan Augustine, Lindsey and Bradley Green and McKensie Smith all of New Bedford; 5 step-grandchildren: A.J., Barry, Becky, Stacy and Tanya; 2 step-great granddaughters: Haley and Briana; many nieces and nephews; and several good friends especially Herchel and Alma McFadden of El Paso, Texas.
He was the brother of the late Lillian Fielding and the great grandfather of the late G. Robby Thatcher III.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will at the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Road, Westport, Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours Monday 5 – 8 P.M.
Interment in Friends Cemetery, Dartmouth.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations can be made to: Community Nurse and Hospice Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719, American Lung Association, One Abbey Ln., Middleboro, MA 02346 or Alzheimer’s Association, 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140.