Obituary of Joseph Richard Hatchette

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Richard (Rick) Hatchette on August 13, 2016 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital after a courageous journey with cancer. Born in Saint John on May 5, 1953, he was the son of the late Richard and Rose (McCarthy) Hatchette. Rick grew up in Indian Town in the North End of Saint John as a member of the Roman Catholic community of St. Peter’s Parish and St. Peter’s School. He graduated from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School in 1971, St. Francis Xavier University in 1975, with a Bachelor of Science Degree and the University of New Brunswick Law School in 1981. Rick had a keen legal mind and a heart for justice. He began his legal career at the firm Barry O’Neill & Company in Saint John. He served as Clerk of the Court of Queen’s Bench for the Judicial District of Saint John, Regional Manager of Court Services for the Saint John Region and as an Adjudicator with the Small Claims Court of New Brunswick. He was also employed in the Legal Department of Royal Trust Company. Rick appeared in all levels of Court in New Brunswick as well as in the Supreme Court of Canada. He served as Legal Advisor to the St. John River Tribal Council for twenty-five years and made many friends in First Nations’ communities in New Brunswick and across Canada. Rick was passionate about his work with First Nations which he found very fulfilling. He also served with wisdom, understanding and compassion as an Adjudicator with the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. Rick retired in 2015, for health reasons, as Acting Chairperson of the New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. Rick is survived by his beloved sister, Beth Nicholas, and her husband, Graydon Nicholas, of Fredericton, nephew and god-son, Michael Nicholas, of Fredericton, nephew Brian Nicholas and his wife, Joanne Porter of Kingman, Arizona, great-nephew Cato Nicholas and grand-niece Allison Nicholas of Kingman, Arizona. Rick is also survived by one uncle, Wilf Weiss of Saint John and several cousins as well as special friends: Eileen Barry of Ottawa, Brenda Noble of Saint John, Sherry Noble of St. Stephen, Mary and Paul Roach, Jill Roach, Diane and Gerard Rooney, Margaret and Rene Coulpier, Signe Gurholt and Susan Lubin, all of Saint John, Maria and John Henheffer of Quispamsis and many other close friends too numerous to mention. Rick was happiest when he was with family and friends at his cottage in that little piece of Heaven next to Rooney Lane at Chapel Grove on the Kingston Peninsula. He took every opportunity to travel and explore the world. He especially enjoyed trips to Ireland and Scotland, where he explored the McCarthy family and Hatchette/Munro family genealogy. He looked forward to annual bus trips to New York City, arranged and led by his good friend, Alma Hazel. Rick had a wonderful sense of humour and was quite a prankster. The stories of his many jokes and pranks on those bus tours are legend. Rick’s family would like to thank Dr. Ian Grant, Dr. Samantha Gray, Dr. Holly Campbell, Dr. Jessica Hemmings, Dr. Julia Wildish and the staff of the Oncology Unit and the Palliative Care Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care of Rick. Special thanks to caregivers Don DeBow and Connie Gamblin as well as to the Extra Mural Program, especially Registered Nurse Mylene Drapeau. The family is also very grateful for the support, assistance, advice and guidance provided by cousin Paula Weiss. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visitation on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Rick’s life will be held on Thursday August 18, 2016 at 2 pm from St. Peter’s Church. Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Westmorland Road on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 2 pm. Donations in Rick’s memory can be made to St. Bridget’s Church Renovation Fund, Chapel Grove, the Saint John Extra Mural Program or to a charity of the donor’s choice.