Manchester area mourns loss of Jay Hathaway

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(Host) The town of Dorset, and the Manchester region, are mourning the loss of one of their most prominent citizens. 

Jay Hathaway, Executive Director and the Manchester in the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce, died unexpectedly last  Saturday.

VPR’s Susan Keese has more.

(Keese) Hathaway was often referred to locally as the unofficial mayor of Dorset. He and his wife Terri ran a grocery in town,  Peltiers Market, for many years.

Dorset Representative Patti Komline says he was known for his love of life and an almost childlike enthusiasm for the local community.

(Komline) "He found something to love in everybody, and he made everybody feel special. And that’s how he touched people’s lives by really caring about people and taking a genuine interest in them."

(Keese) Hathaway became director of the Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber after selling the store in 2005.

(Romano) "And he’s done more to bring the business community together and build bridges than anyone I know of."

(Keese) Former Chamber President Lee Romano was Hathaway’s longtime friend. He said Hathaway was instrumental in establishing Manchester’s Riley Rink, a major skating facility and indoor events venue.

He also introduced Manchester’s now-famous Halloween Pumpkin carving festival. The event listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most people simultaneously carving jack-o-lanterns in one place.

Romano says Hathaway was always focused on doing the right thing and bringing people together.

(Romano) "The business community’s really going to miss him."

(Keese) Hathaway was riding a bicycle with his grandson near his Dorset home when he collapsed suddenly last Saturday. He was 61.

For VPR News, I’m Susan Keese.

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