Eric Paul Hatke

Eric Hatke, 58, passed away on September 2, 2023, in Atlantic City, NJ.
 
Eric Hatke was born on May 23, 1965 in Princeton, NJ, to Fred and Judith Hatke. 

Eric graduated from Princeton Day School in 1983 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Lafayette College in 1987. He was a varsity swimmer and was on the varsity fencing team in college. He began his life long career with the US Navy as a Mechanical Engineer and he continued on to become a Chief Mechanical Design Engineer. He was extremely active within his community, always volunteering to help out. He served on the boards of his childhood swim club, Lenape, Hopewell Valley Golf Club, and the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustments. He was always present to coach or tutor anyone who needed his help. He spent years tutoring at Pennington Prep. He spent many years officiating with US Swimming and PASDA. He was an extremely talented woodworker who loved to create and build furniture in his leisure time. His passions were golf, softball, swimming, skiing, cycling, and later trap/skeet shooting. He had his private pilots license and loved to fly. He loved the beach and our "Happy Place" in Ocean City, NJ. He was unfailingly kind and compassionate and was always available to help a neighbor or friend. His greatest joy in life was his two children and there wasn't a thing in this world he wouldn't do for them.

Eric married Theresa Rivet Bracco on October 16, 1993 in Princeton, NJ. The couple had 2 children, Emilianne and Ethan Hatke, both of Pennington.

Eric is survived by his spouse and daughter Theresa and Emilianne Hatke of Pennington, NJ, his mother Judith Hatke of Skillman, NJ, his brother and sister in law Gary and Heidi Hatke of Westford, MA, his sister in law and brother in law Jennifer and John Young of Bradley Beach, NJ, his niece and nephew Anna and Christian Hatke of Westford, MA, his nieces Madison and Morgan Young of Bradley Beach, NJ, and many close friends and cousins.

Eric is preceded in death by his son Ethan Hatke and his father Fred Hatke.

Memorial gathering 3:00pm to 5:00pm, on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Blackwell Memorial Home in Pennington, NJ.

The service for Mr Eric Hatke will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 5pm to 5:30pm at Blackwell Memorial Home in Pennington, NJ.

The burial will be private at Pennington Cemetery, Pennington, NJ.

Memorial donations can be made in Eric's name to Ethan J Hatke Memorial Fund with CharitySmith.org