| Notes |
- Obituary:
Bruce D. Hatfield, K.C.
1952-2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Bruce D. Hatfield, 72, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton. He was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Kathleen Hatfield and by his brother Robert (Bob) Hatfield.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Lucie; his siblings Brian (Connie) Hatfield of Fosterville, Michael (Martha Musgrove) of Ottawa, Ont., Rachel (Allan) Nesbitt of Lower Brighton and Mary Hatfield of Somerville; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Pauline (Claude Cormier) Richard of Dieppe, Gilles (Pierrette) Richard of Fredericton, Diane (Roger) Gauvin of Dieppe, Guy (Rachel) Richard of Moncton, his nieces and nephews Christy (Toby) Grant of Woodstock, Marnie (Pat) O’Donnell of Fredericton Sarah (Jeff) Ebbett of Hartland, David (Rachel) Nesbitt of Concord, New Hampshire, USA, Andrew Nesbitt of Lower Brighton, Joel (Megan) Nesbitt of St. John’s NL, Nicole (Yaro) Shaposhnik of Edmonton Alta, Kelsey Hatfield (Marc Vienneau) of Riverview, Véronique (Salim Chétioui) Cormier of Dieppe, Nathalie (Stefan Verch) Cormier of Fredericton, Josée (Jamie) Winsor of Moncton, Jean-Pierre (Marie-Pier) Cormier of Dieppe, Jean-Luc (Stephanie) Gauvin of Dieppe, Sebastien (Hanna) Gauvin of Moncton, Danielle Richard of Cape Breton, NS, Christian Richard of Fredericton, Erica (Sasha) Leger of Dieppe, and Isabelle (Maxime Clavet) Richard of Dieppe; his father-in-law Laurie Richard of Dieppe, several grand nieces and nephews, and cousins, and numerous friends whose lives he touched.
Also mourning his passing are his Godson, Liam Cashin (Teagan) of Fredericton, his Wednesday partner-in-crime, Penelope Verch, and the members of his birthday lunch group.
Bruce graduated from Hartland High School in 1970 when he received the highest score in the Province on that year’s departmental exams. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts with honours in mathematics from Mount Allison University in 1974. He attended the 50th reunion of his class last summer where he enjoyed reconnecting with several of his friends from his university days. He obtained his LLB from the University of New Brunswick in 1977 and was a Beaverbrook Scholar during his three years of law school. He was admitted to the Law Society of New Brunswick in 1977 and practised law in the City of Fredericton until his retirement in early 2021. He received his Queen’s Counsel designation in 1996. He was a great mentor to many young lawyers. In 2002 he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his service to Fredericton and the Province. He received the Canadian Bar Association Pro Bono Award in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding pro bono legal services to his community, his contributions to the CBA, and the many lawyers he mentored during his career. His community involvement included sitting on the Theatre New Brunswick Foundation Board for many years and acting as legal counsel to the Board of the Ferguson Foundation for the prevention and elimination of family violence.
Bruce was a kind, generous, selfless, compassionate, and humble soul. He touched countless people in many ways. His dedication and kindness to his clients, his friends and his family was steadfast, and his good works were often done quietly. Bruce never sought recognition and in fact avoided it. Friends and colleagues knew that they could go to Bruce for advice, and he would always do his best to provide it, in a considered, diplomatic, and non-judgemental way. Although Bruce held himself to an exacting standard he was always humbled to be of service to others when asked.
Bruce was a man of deep Christian faith who lived every day by the Golden Rule, one of Christianity’s central teachings: "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You" and to the admonition in Micah 6:8 "To do Justice and to Love Kindness and to Walk Humbly with your God." He attended Brunswick Street Baptist Church in Fredericton regularly while maintaining his membership in his hometown church in Hartland.
Bruce loved New Brunswick, was proud of his province and was devoted to his Town of Hartland where he was born and grew up.
He was a great friend and had a wonderful sense of humour. He was an avid reader and a true music lover. He also loved sports and enjoyed watching his favourite teams the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox along with U.S. College basketball.
Bruce was involved in politics with the Progressive Conservative Party from a young age and was a very influential political strategist. He was a trusted advisor to several party leaders and premiers, most notably his uncle, former premier Richard Hatfield. Bruce’s contributions to all levels of political organizing from riding organizations to his close involvement in managing local, provincial, and national election campaigns were significant. His sage advice was sought by all and respected by those on all sides of the political spectrum. His advice was trusted because it was always given keeping in mind what was better for New Brunswick. Bruce stood as an outstanding example of all that is good and noble about being involved in the political process, and he remains a role model for others to follow.
Bruce served as a mentor to many young people in both politics and the practice of law. He had the ability to recognize talent in others and to encourage them and bring them a sense of confidence in their abilities.
Bruce was the consummate lawyer: he was professional, ethical, and totally dedicated to his clients. He was highly respected by all members of the Bar and was named to the Best Lawyers in Canada list.
He grew to enjoy his retirement, in summer spending time outdoors and gardening. He was especially proud of his tomato garden. Most days would see Bruce trekking across the UNB campus for his daily walk.
Visitation will be held at the Britton Funeral Home, 2 High Street, Hartland on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 1 – 4 p.m. The funeral service will he held on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Hartland Baptist Church. Interment will be held at a later date at the Greenwood Cemetery in Hartland. If so desired, donations may be made to the Greenwood Cemetery in Hartland or to Theatre New Brunswick Foundation.
The service will be live streamed on the Hartland Baptist Church facebook page.Â
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
Greenwood Cemetery
103 Searle Street
Woodstock, NB E7M 0C9
Theatre New Brunswick Foundation
55 Whiting Road
Fredericton, NB E3B 5Y5
Donate at tnb.nb.ca
https://www.brittonfh.ca/obituaries/182797
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People of Carleton County, New Brunswick
1952 - 2025 (73 years)
