CASTINE – Harold Babcock Hatch, a seventh generation Castine resident, passed away June 14, 2013 at his home. Harold was delivered Oct. 30, 1939, by his namesake, Dr. Harold Babcock, founder of the Castine Hospital and a close friend and poker buddy of his father, James Merton “Spunk” Hatch.
A graduate of Pemetic High School in Southwest Harbor, Harold received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Maine at Orono and his Master’s degree from Brigham Young University. A gifted athlete, Harold was a tenacious competitor and a multi-sport star. Harold won numerous Maine State individual titles in cross-country and track, and was the New England High School Cross-Country Champion in 1956. He also earned all-state class M status on the 1957 state championship basketball team at Pemetic High School. In college he was captain of the New England Championship Cross-Country Team and was a member of the golf team. For nearly three decades, he competed in cross-country, track and road races, both regionally and nationally; he was one of the strongest masters runners in New England in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 2006, he was inducted into the Maine Running Hall of Fame. As a teacher and coach, Harold inspired generations of students and athletes, training with and often outrunning his teams. He firmly believed that a strong body led to a strong mind as he coached cross-country and track at Middlesex School in Concord, Mass., and Thayer Academy in Braintree, Mass. He later served as the assistant women’s cross-country and track coach at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His teams won multiple championships, but Harold was best known for his spirited coaching style, witty and motivational slogans, known as “HBH isms,” and instilling a desire for lifelong fitness among his athletes. For 25 years, Harold served as the golf and tennis professional at Castine Golf Club and taught generations of athletes, young and old, to appreciate these sports. Later in life, he led kayak trips on the Bagaduce River and workouts for Castine residents at the MMA pool. Townspeople also delighted in seeing Harold ride his bike pedaling backwards while sitting atop his handlebars, a tradition he continued into his 70s. More recently, he spent the winter months in Colorado Springs where he enjoyed hiking, snowshoeing, and geocaching, often blazing his own trail through waist-deep snow.
Harold is survived by his mother, Laura, of Castine, his wife of 51 years, Andrea; and three children, James of Tacoma, Wash., and Sarah and Mark of Colorado Springs, Colo. He also loved playing with his five grandchildren, Katherine, Wesley, Adabelle, Heather, and Jameson. Other beloved relatives include his brothers, Steve of North Andover, Mass., James of Prospect and David of Castine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. July 2, at Trinitarian Church, Castine. A reception will be after at Castine Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, for the Witherle Woods Trail Fund, Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086.
Harold Babcock Hatch
