Rick Hathaway

James Richard “Rick” Hathaway, 80, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, and a longtime resident of Bloomfield and Denville, Rick lived a life that could fill volumes.

 

He was a proud Airborne Ranger (LRRP 75th Infantry Regiment), and carried that spirit of toughness and camaraderie in everything he did. He threw punches as a professional boxer. He dove into the deep as a diver. He kept the peace as a police officer. He kept the party going as the owner of two beloved bars — The Feedbag and, later, Hathaway's. He ran an aggregates supply business, East Coast Materials. History fascinated him. Theatre delighted him. The Mets and Jets occasionally broke his heart, but he never quit rooting for them.

 

Rick was truly one of a kind—a larger-than-life personality who never met a stranger. Whether you knew him for years or had just met him, you always walked away with a story. His sense of humor and warmth brought people together. He didn't take life too seriously, and he was better for it — and so was everyone around him.

 

Rick is survived by his wife, Melissa Hathaway; his five children; his stepdaughter; and his eight grandchildren, who knew him as Pop Pop. He also leaves behind countless friends—though “friends” doesn’t quite cover it, as Rick had a way of turning just about everyone into family.

 

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held in North Jersey on Saturday, May 2nd, from 1-4pm at Il Villagio (651 NJ-17 North, Carlstadt, NJ 07072).

 

If you’d like to honor Rick, do it his way: tell a great story, make someone laugh, and don’t take life too seriously. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rick's memory. Two organizations are listed below: Rick's favorite place, Frost Valley, and the Cancer Center where he received wonderful care.

 

1. Donations may be made to Frost Valley at www.frostvalley.org/donate or via check made out to Frost Valley YMCA and mailed to Frost Valley YMCA Development Department, 2000 Frost Valley Rd, Claryville, NY 12725.
2. Donations may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital to PO Box 22539 New York, NY 10087-2539 or online at www.nuvancehealth.org/giving/support-your-community-hospital