Chemical Dependency Counselor & CCRI Department Chair, Jerry M. Hatfield, Dies

Chemical Dependency Counselor & CCRI Department Chair, Jerry M. Hatfield, Dies

Jerry M. Hatfield died on August 18, 2021. 

He is survived by his dear wife Gail MacIntosh Hatfield and three children; Kelly, Cara, and Ashley Hatfield. He also leaves a brother, William D. Hatfield, and a grandson, George Hatfield. He was born to William R. and Illa Hatfield in Kansas City, MO. He lived in Warwick for the last 35 years, previously living in Jamestown.

Jerry began his career running a substance abuse treatment and prevention program for the City of Warwick, and then the RI Division of Substance Abuse. Starting in 1990 he was on the Human Services Faculty of CCRI and was Department Chair from 2007 until his retirement in 2013. Jerry loved teaching. He believed in community college access and the opportunities they provide to help students grow.

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Jerry held degrees from URI and RIC and was a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Jerry also worked part time as a family counselor at Caritas House and consulted with the US Department of Justice on substance abuse staff training and program evaluation. Jerry was also an avid musician, playing guitar since the age of 8. He was in several bands and joined his last band at age 56, one reclaimed from the 1960s. After retirement, he pursued his hobby of writing short stories and poems.

Jerry dearly loved his wife and children, and never wanted anything more than to be a good husband and father.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the San Miguel School, 525 Branch Ave, Providence, RI, 02904, or HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

Memorial service to be held at a later date.