25 June 1942 – 13 June 2023
Andrew George Hatton was born on 25th of June 1942 in Dulverton, Devon, during the war where his mother was evacuated. After the war they moved back to Mitcham, Surrey. When Andy left school he gained an apprenticeship with an engineering firm in Croydon Air Compressors. He attended day release at a technical college where he attained a national certificate in engineering and went on to become a charge hand.
In the mid 60s, Andy started keeping pigeons where he eventually started breeding and racing them. Andy belonged to three different pigeon clubs and he and his birds gained many prizes and cups when they won at various races.
After a failed marriage, Andy met Kath and they married in 1975. They bought a house in Beddington, Croydon, where they lived and worked for 30 years. Andy always had a love for Cornwall – something that he and Kath had in common. In the mid 90s, they bought a holiday home in Boscastle and by 2000 they decided to retire and buy a permanent home in the village.
They both enjoyed the social life at the Cobweb and the Nap which helped them in getting to know some of the local people. Life became too sedate for Andy so he took up taxi driving. He became very well-known and gained quite a reputation locally. He gave up the taxi shortly before Kath was diagnosed with lung cancer. As Kath’s health deteriorated, Andy became more withdrawn and finally after 53 years together, he was widowed.
Although his own health began to deteriorate, his one ambition was to celebrate with all his friends and family on his 80th birthday which he achieved in June 2022. As Andy’s health worsened, he began to rely far more on friends around him to function. Andy had a stroke in January 2023 from which he slowly deteriorated further. Andy passed away peacefully in a care home in Launceston on 13th June 2023, two weeks before his 81st birthday.
On reflection Andy lived the life he wanted and enjoyed the journey.
