WAYLAND: Robert Bennett Hatton, 90 years young, took his last breath on July 5, 2017 at Cornerstone Assisted Living. The only child of Tom and Lillian (Whitehead), his family moved to Kittery Maine, overlooking the Kittery Naval Ship Yard, when he was nine years old. They lived on the water, where Bob loved to sail with his Dad.
Unknown to him at first, he lived two houses down from Sylvia, whom he was in love with from the day they met. They were sweethearts all through high school.
Bob joined the Navy right after high school and served until he was honorably discharged, as Seaman First Class, in 1946. When he returned from his tour of duty, Bob graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Electrical Engineering. During his career he travelled extensively, starting up power plants in countries all over the world. Shortly after, they moved to their first and only home in Wayland.
They had a dream vacation travelling to some of the National Parks out in the western part of the country. They enjoyed other vacations in NH at the lake or canoe camping on the Saco River. Mostly the vacations were spent either walking the sand bars at Cape Cod or boating in the bay.
He was an active member of the Community United Methodist Church in Cochituate for many years. He wore lots of hats in that church, including the Country Store Salesman, various acting parts in plays, many committee member roles, and occasionally, assistant to the minister and the overall go-to man who has all of the church keys.
During his retirement he and Sylvia loved to travel. They loved taking boat cruises and tours, home and abroad. They visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Greece, Italy, the Virgin Islands and Alaska. After retirement, and when they slowed down a little, they moved to Cornerstone Assisted Living of Milford.
He will always be remembered by everyone he met for his great humor and quick wit. He always had a smile for a good joke. He was very good at trivia and loved to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy (He always knew the answers!).
Bob and Sylvia raised and he is survived by four children: Cynthia Spates and her husband Gary; Robert B Hatton, Jr., and his wife Christine; Judith Gurley and Sandra Sullivan. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Robbie, Timmy, Katie, Lilly, Luke and our late Noel Jr. Also four great grandchildren, one niece and seven nephews.
Sylvia, his wife and sweetheart for 67 years, is currently living at Cornerstone Assisted Living in Milford. He was still as much in love with her as the day they met. True love only happens once upon a time.
His family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 10:00 to 10:45 am at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte. 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland. His memorial service will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in the Hatton family lot at Lakeview Cemetery in Cochituate Village, Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly suggests that memorial gifts in Bob’s memory be sent to the Community United Methodist Church, 5 Damon Street, Wayland, MA 01778.