Jeffrey Alan Hathaway

Jeffrey Alan Hathaway, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away of natural causes on April 25, 2026. Born on August 4, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he was the son of Roger Ferris Hathaway and Margaret Jane Phipps.

Jeff’s early years were spent in Sand Creek, Michigan, where he played Little League baseball and was the quarterback for Sand Creek High School. He also showcased his musical talent as a sousaphone player in the high school band and later in his College’s symphony. He later completed his senior year at Howland High School in Warren, Ohio, before attending Kent State University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in accounting. Here he was on the track team Freshman year.

After a brief tenure at General Motors, Jeff began a remarkable 41-year career with IBM, holding numerous positions in Financial Planning and Management. His career took him across the country—from Owego, NY, to Palo Alto, CA, Atlanta, GA, Boca Raton, FL, and finally Durham, NC. Among his most notable professional accomplishments was his work on the launch and eventual sale of the Personal Business Computer, where he played a key role in transitioning the business to Lenovo of China.

Jeff’s love for sports extended beyond the office. In Boca Raton, he helped establish a women’s travel soccer team and coached Boca Raton High School girls’ soccer for many years, achieving an outstanding record and earning national recognition, including an ESPN interview featuring the country’s top goalie.

After relocating to Durham, Jeff and his wife Jane dedicated themselves to community service, focusing on aiding the unhoused. They worked tirelessly with The Furniture Project, an initiative founded by Jane, providing free furniture to those transitioning into housing.

An avid sports enthusiast, Jeff enjoyed golf, tennis, kayaking, hockey, and hiking, often exploring the North Carolina mountains with his family. He loved cheering on his grandchildren in soccer and volleyball and treasured every moment spent with them.

Jeff was a devoted family man who cherished spending time with his wife Jane, his children Karen Kubart (Kenny), David Hathaway (Michelle), Dory Tiesler, Christine Carter (Thomas), and Becky Baggett (Chris), as well as his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his sister Betsy Wilkes (Ben). He also leaves behind his siblings Jane Stansfield (Bill), Roger Hathaway II (Linda), Debbie King (Harry), Sally Litwinow (Val), and Philip Hathaway (Becky).

Jeff’s life was defined by his passion for family, sports, community, and unwavering kindness. He leaves a lasting legacy of love, mentorship, and generosity, remembered fondly by all whose lives he touched.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held on May 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service in Carrboro in his honor.