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- Obituary:
Frederick Heber Hatfield died on Wednesday July 28, 2004 in his 82nd year, still a resident of the house behind the stone wall at the end of the world's longest covered bridge and right next door to the house where he was born in Hartland, New Brunswick. These were the only two homes he knew throughout his life, and we suspect he was content to die before anyone tried to move him somewhere else. Fred was the son of the late Heber H. Hatfield, MP and Dora (Robinson) Hatfield. He was a graduate of Hartland High School and attended Acadia University until he volunteered for overseas service with the Canadian Army in 1943. He served as a Canadian officer on loan to the British Army, a Canloan, and landed on Gold Beach on the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944 as a Platoon Commander with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Since he did not expect to survive that day, he considered all his days thereafter as a bonus. He was wounded in the Battle of Normandy but was able to rejoin the ranks and participated with many fellow Canadians in the liberation of Holland in 1945. After the war, Fred returned to Hartland, married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Palmer, raised six children, produced cracklin' crisp potato chips and was involved in every worthwhile project in his community: the Boy Scouts, the School Board, the Hospital Board, the Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Potato Blossom Festival, the Community Christmas Tree, the Greenwood Cemetery, the Royal Canadian Legion, and many others. A faithful member of the Hartland United Baptist Church, he provided many years of service as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was Parade Marshall for the Remembrance Day Service in Hartland and organized the Poppy Campaign in that area for over 50 years. He also served for many years on the Atlantic Transportation Commission and as President of the Canadian Snack Foods Association. As well, he was a key backroom activist in the political process and worked closely with Prime Minister Diefenbaker, Premier Hugh John Flemming and his brother, Premier Richard Hatfield. The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick awarded him a life membership. After retirement he became a devoted fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and a source of treats and encouragement to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He battled many illnesses and afflictions in his latter years but continued to enjoy and entertain his family and all his visitors. Fred is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kay, whose love, care and good cooking he enjoyed to his dying day, and six children: Brian (Connie), Michael (Martha Musgrove), Rachel (Allan Nesbitt), Bruce, Mary and Robert; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers, Harold and Richard, and by sisters, Rheta and Anne. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Britton's Funeral Home of Hartland where visitation will be held on Saturday July 31 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and on Sunday August 1 from 2-4 PM only. The funeral will be held at the Hartland United Baptist Church on Monday August 2 at 2PM followed by a family committal service. Flowers are welcomed, but memorial contributions to The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund and the Greenwood Cemetery in Hartland would also be fitting tributes.
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People of Carleton County, New Brunswick
1923 - 2004 (81 years)
