Ralph Joseph "R.J." Hathaway, 44, of New Bedford died Sunday May 7, 2006 unexpectedly at home.

Born in New Bedford, the son of Audrey R. (Goldman) Hathaway of Dartmouth and the late Gerald T. Hathaway, he lived in Dartmouth for most of his life before moving to New Bedford.

He was a graduate of Dartmouth High School and received his degree from UMass Dartmouth in electrical engineering.

Mr. Hathaway was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in Brockton.

Mr. Hathaway was a basketball and baseball coach for the Dartmouth Girls Athletic League. He loved all sports, especially playing racquetball. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family.

Survivors include his mother; his beloved daughter, Kelsea Bettencourt-Hathaway of Dartmouth; a sister, Laurie Ånne Medeiros, and her husband Herman, of Georgia; two nephews, Bradford and Benjamin Medeiros; two aunts, Marlene Lacob of California and Seranne Hawes of Florida; and several cousins.

His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 10 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 5-8 PM.