Thomas Roy Hatfield

In Loving Memory

Dryden, NY: Thomas Roy Hatfield, 67, passed away at home on Saturday, June 12, 2021.

He loved life and lived it to its fullest. He was widely known as an excellent listener, problem solver, counselor, and financial mastermind. When he wasn’t implementing his “Hatfield Work Ethic,” he played hard and enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, hunting, trap shooting, fishing, birding, country music, storytelling, and being Captain of his boat. He believed in family, friendship, faith in God, the privileges of civic duty, doing your best, and pursuing your dreams.

He was born in North Carolina and raised in Lansing, NY on the family dairy farm. After graduating high school in Lansing, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to see the world (only to be stationed in Virginia). While there, he pursued his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Old Dominion University. After graduating cum laude, he was awarded a scholarship to study history in the UK where he met the love of his life, Joyce. They traveled the world and lived a fulfilling life together.

He went on to become a CPA, and earned his MBA from Canisius College, and he served as CEO and CFO of several organizations. He highly valued public service and he tirelessly volunteered his talents to various community organizations for most of his life. Some of the countless organizations included BOCES Board of Education, Erie County Economic Development, Dryden Town Board, Dryden Planning Board, Neptune Fire Department, and numerous hunting and fishing clubs. He also actively participated in state and local politics.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rod and Gerry Hatfield; he is survived by his wife of 43 years Joyce E. Hatfield; two daughters, Amanda G. Tanaka (Steven) of Shrewsbury, MA, and Ashley K. Hatfield of Reston, VA; two brothers, Robert Hatfield (Christina) and David Hatfield (Abby) of Lansing, NY; and four grandchildren, Brian James Tanaka, Aiko Joy Tanaka, Chase Jordan Tanaka, and Akina Joy Tanaka, who all had a very close relationship with “Pop.”

Visitation will be at Perkins Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, and Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. The funeral service will be on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at North Lansing Cemetery.