Mr. Merton C. "Mert" Hathaway Jr.

Merton C. Hathaway Jr., (8/2/1937 - 11/22/2025) also known as Mert, lived a life that could fill a novel — and not always the kind you'd want your kids to read. He grew up in Hinsdale Massachusetts, the son of Merton “Bud” Hathaway and Caroline Emerson Hathaway, Merton Jr had a twin brother Martin and a sister Judy. As a boy, he was a prankster, plain and simple. If there was trouble, he found it (or it found him). He was mischievous, a bit reckless, and always three steps ahead of whatever adult was yelling his name at the time. He loved telling stories from his younger years — like when his father made him and his twin brother, Martin, dance in bars for money so their dad could drink. Or the time he and Martin lit a bag of poop on fire on the stoop of the local doctor’s house, then pulled the steps away so the poor man nearly broke his neck chasing them. He served in the Army stationed in France from 1955 to 1958. Even in the Army, Mert didn’t lose his knack for pranks. He was known to write his own leave passes and head out to the local bars, where he somehow always managed to find trouble — and charm his way out of it. He worked a short time for the Crane Government Mill, E.D. Jones, J.H. Maxymillian and Lenox Machine. He married the love of his life of 64 years, Erika Steinhilber from Lenox Dale Mass and there they built their home on land given to them from Erika’s father, George. While living in Lenox Dale, he volunteered for the Lenox Dale Fire Department. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time at the Eldorado Bar, where his quick wit and even quicker mouth sometimes got him into trouble. Thankfully, his buddy Jack Duby often served as his self-appointed bodyguard, making sure he didn’t get the crap beat out of him for saying exactly what was on his mind. Mert finally gave up drinking and smoking in the seventies when it nearly killed him. To his credit, he stayed sober and nicotine-free for the rest of his life. He had a deep love for animals and children. He once rescued a retired racehorse and gave it the peaceful life it deserved, and he adopted a kitten he found tangled in a briar patch on the golf course (most likely where his ball had landed) — because that’s just who he was, a friend to animals. He had many dogs throughout his life who were constant companions and sidekicks. Golf was another of his passions and inspired a love for the game in his son. Mert spent countless hours on the green, chasing the perfect shot and the next good laugh. He swung a club up until the age of 86, despite a bad back from his military service and years of construction work. Mert had a strong connection with kids. He co-coached his son’s peewee football team in Lee, sharing his love of the game and mentoring young players. His favorite NFL team was the Chicago Bears, and through every season — no matter how rough — he remained a loyal fan, forever hopeful for “next year.” He also found joy in coaching girls’ softball and took great pride in teaching his daughter how to pitch — a skill that led her to become the first female softball pitcher in Berkshire County to throw a no-hitter, a memory she’ll cherish forever. If Mert wasn’t on the golf course, playing with kids, or taking in stray animals, you could find him in a couple of places: the racetrack, where he bet on the dogs and horses, the Locker Room playing cards, or his raspberry patch, where he endlessly groomed, weeded, and picked buckets of berries to share with his neighbors. Mert is survived by his wife Erika, whom he endeared the name Herman the German, aka Hermie, his daughter Nancy and her husband Russ Hopowiec, his son David, granddaughter Whitney, daughter in law Wendy Marchand, grand dog Molly as well as sister-in-law Beverly Hathaway and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his twin brother Martin Hathaway, sister Judith Sherman, nephew Martin John Hathaway and niece Anne Hathaway. You could say he is also survived by countless stories — some unlawful, some painful, many hilarious — and a legacy that proves people can change, even if it takes them a while to get there. In his younger years, Mert battled demons, often at the bottom of a bottle. He drank hard, lived harder, and made more than his share of bad choices. But in time, and to the surprise of many, he reformed. Maybe not into a saint, but into a man who tried, a man who worked, who showed up, who wanted to do better even when it was hard — especially when it was hard. Mert was stubborn, a little too trusting, and didn’t always use the best judgment. People took advantage of his good heart more times than he probably realized — or maybe he did realize and just chose to believe in people anyway. He gave second chances, even to those who didn’t deserve them, and helped people who never said thank you. He was the kind of man that would help another person out, whether he knew you well or not. Mert wasn't perfect, but he was kind. He wasn't a hero in the usual sense, but he was ours and he had a heart of gold. We will miss him more than words can say. The family is deeply grateful for the care and kindness he received from Home Care Services, Hospice, and Elder Services, and for the many friends he made while being cared for at Kimball Farms. Kimball Farms won’t soon forget Mert — or the daily “Mert Alert,” as he kept everyone on their toes with his antics right up to the end. Services for Mert will be private. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society or the Lenox Youth Basketball Association c/o Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St, PO Box 152, Lenox, MA 01240

Mr. Merton C. "Mert" Hathaway Jr.

August 2, 1937 - November 22, 2025