Norman J. “Chip” Hatch

WELLSBURG- Norman J. “Chip” Hatch, 63, of Wellsburg, NY passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Carol S. (May) Hatch. The couple married February 8, 1969 and had 44 happy years together. Chip was born on January 16, 1950 in Waverly, NY, son of the late Norman and Jeanne (Deuel) Hatch. He was a 1968 graduate of Athens High School, and was a US Army veteran served his country in Viet Nam. After the Army, Chip spent a number of years working on local farms and then went to work as a Glass Polisher for Swift Glass in Elmira Heights until his retirement in 2009. In his free time, Chip was very involved in youth sports. He was a past president and coach for the Elmira Small Fry League, the Huck Finn Little League, coached the Wellsburg Little League, and was a member of the Umpire Association of Chemung County. Chip also volunteered at the Chemung County Family Fitness Center, and was an Elmira Star Gazette Volunteer of the Year. Even though he enjoyed volunteering, Chip loved nothing better than spending time with his family at the lake. Chip is survived by his wife Carol, his son Michael James Hatch of Elmira, his daughter Debbie Ann (Shawn) Foster of West Elmira, his grandchildren: Landyn and Rylee Hatch, Brionna and Shane Rafferty, and Avalyn Foster, his siblings: Leland (Terri) Hatch, Laura (John) Kelsall, Tom Hatch, and Barbara Hatch, along with several nieces and nephew. Chip was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Gracie May Hatch, and his brother John Hatch. Family and friends are welcome to call from 2:00-6:00 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Roberts Funeral Home, Inc 279 Main Street Wellsburg, NY. The funeral service to honor Chip’s life will be held at 6:00 pm on Saturday, July 27th at the funeral Home, military honors will be given by the Chemung County Honor Squad. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Chip’s memory to any youth sports organization of one’s own choosing.