In Memory of Paul Hatch

PAUL R. HATCH
Wolfeboro Selectman, State Representative and Radio Broadcaster
Wolfeboro, NH

Paul R. Hatch, 66, passed away suddenly May 16, 2004 at the Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro, NH.

Mr. Hatch, a native and life long resident of Wolfeboro, was born June 5, 1937. He attended Carpenter Grammar School in Wolfeboro, NH and graduated high school from Brewster Academy, Class of 1955.  Paul was a us Army Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict in the US Army Security Agency for 3 years and also was trained in Electronic Warfare - Countermeasures and as a Photo Lab Technician, later being honorably discharged in 1958.  He later graduated from the Radio Emergency Institute of Florida in 1960 and currently holds a FCC General Radiotelephone License.

Paul was very active in the Town of Wolfeboro. He had owned and operated the Hatch Theaters from 1959 to 1987. He was honored as Showman of the Year in the US by the United Motion Picture Association in 1971. From 1959 to 1960 he served as President of the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce. Paul also owned and operated Sound Spectrum Inc., Audio, Video & Electronics Store from 1984 to 1994. In 1990 he began Web Page Design and Internet Development.

Paul was active in Broadcasting. he served as an announcer with WBNC, Conway, NH; WEMJ, Laconia, NH; WLNH, Laconia, NH as well as their News Director, he also served as an announcer and Program Director for WWNH, Rochester, NH, he was the Morning News Anchor for WZNN, Rochester, NH an announcer for WEZS, Laconia and most recently was an Announcer and Operations Director for WASR in Wolfeboro, NH.

Mr. Hatch also gave extensive experience serving as House Assistant for Public Relations, House Speakers Office from 1970 to 1971. He was a member of the Staff of former Governor Meldrim Thompson, Jr. serving as Director of Citizens Services until 1975. In 1975 he was appointed as Executive Director of the NH Greyhound Racing Commission, a position her served for 8 years. He was a former member of the NH Commission on the Arts, a former member of the Advisory Commission to DRED; he was a member of the Tri-County Community Action Program Board of Directors, a member of the Executive Board, NH Municipal Association.

Paul also elected as a County Commissioner where he served for 2 years. He was elected as Selectman for the Town of Wolfeboro a position he had served for 25 years and was a current member of the Board. He was President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wolfeboro Community Television LLC, Local PEG TV Channel 25. He hosted weekly TV programs, "Conversations" on Channel 25 (PEG), and he had been a member of the Wolfeboro Budget Committee for 28 years.

Mr. Hatch was also a member of the New Hampshire General Court, being elected in 2002; he was a member of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee; Co Chairman of the Electric Sub- Committee (STE) and a member of the Cable Sub-Committee (STE).

He was named by the Speaker as a member of the Electric Utility Restructuring Legislative Oversight Committee and was also named by the speaker as a member of the Information Technology Management Advisory Board. He also served on numerous Boards and Commissions and in several fraternal and civic organizations.

Paul was predeceased by his wife Gertrude Grant Hatch and is survived his son Grant P Hatch, Wolfeboro and his daughter Rebecca Connelly, North Andover, MA; his loving grandchildren Christine and Douglas Hatch and Kevin and Brian Connelly. He is also survived by his brothers Charles Hatch, Sacramento, CA and Steven Hatch, Wolfeboro, NH.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Friends of the Wolfeboro Community Band Stand, PO Box 866, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.