Byron George Hatkevich, 70 a resident of the PA Soldiers & Sailors Home passed away at UPMC Hamot on Friday January 1, 2021.
He was born on May 9, 1950 in Erie, the son of the late George and Kathleen Hatkevich.
Byron was a graduate of Tech Memorial , class of 1968. While in High School, Byron was an excellent water polo player and an avid swimmer. Byron was drafted in the Vietnam Era and served two years in the Vietnam War. After returning home from the war, he attended Edinboro University and majored in Literary Arts. Everyone who knew Byron throughout his life used the words sweet, gentle, intelligent, and giant to describe him. Byron was an enthusiastic and passionate reader and loved spending time reading literature. He resided at the Soldiers and Sailors Home for the past decade and spent most of his time in the library.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Gregory Hatkevich of Erie, his sister Diane Tonty of Erie, and significant other Gaylia Zygai of Erie.
He is survived by two daughters Amanda Hatkevich of Erie, and Angela Nagle of Folsome, PA, significant other Carol Marfisi of Wyoming, PA, three brothers and two sisters, Kathy Blanks of Erie, Mark Hatkevich (wife Bretta) of Erie, Joseph "Chip" Hatkevich of Erie, Alan McKinney of Erie, and Carolyn McKinney of Erie, six grandchildren, Bodhi, Delia, Chloe, Finn, Owen and Josh, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were private with burial in the PA Soldiers & Sailors Home Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers and cards book donations may be made in Byron's name to the Soldiers and Sailors Home Library which would be greatly appreciated.
The Carl A. Slomski & Son Funeral Home Inc. 2101 Ash St. is handling arrangements
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