Obituary of Scott Thatcher

Scott D. Thatcher, 56, of Belvidere, NJ died unexpectedly on September 27, 2008 at his home, three days before his 57th birthday. He was born October 1, 1951 in Phillipsburg, NJ the son of the late Donald Thatcher and late Catherine (Pence) Thatcher. Scott grew up in Washington, NJ and graduated from Warren Hills Regional High School in 1969. He received a BA cum laude from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA in June, 1973 and was inducted in the Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society. He received his JD from Washington University School of Law, St. Louis MO in 1976. After completing his law degree he returned to Warren County where he began practicing law, first as an associate with Stover, Stover and Broscious from 1976 – 1977. He then began his solo practice on South Main Street in Phillipsburg sharing office space with former New Jersey Governor Robert B. Meyner. Then in 1981 he moved his practice from South Min Street to Fillmore Street where he shared space with Anne E. Tan while also maintaining a branch office in Belvidere, which he continued to the present. He was Municipal Prosecutor for the Town of Phillipsburg from 1980 – 1981. He also served as the attorney for the Phillipsburg Neighborhood Housing Development from its inception in 1984. Scott's happiest moment was when he was on the basketball court. He played basketball in every decade of his life. He was a four-year Varsity basketball player for the Blue Streaks, and was a starter and co-captain of the 1968 –69-basketball team that was inducted into the Warren Hills Hall of Fame in 2003. He continued his collegiate basketball career at Moravian College where he was a two-year Varsity starter as the point guard and in 1970 was All Middle Atlantic Conference mention. A knee injury shut his college career down and he did not pick up a basketball for two years after college until he was persuaded by a group of Anne Tan's friends to join the Law School Intra-Mural team of Smokey Joe's Café. In one memorable game he single- handedly scored 43 points against the hated favorite, In Nubius, and nearly won the game. Unfortunately no one else on his team scored a single point. With his basketball flame rekindled by Smokey Joe's, Scott played in the Warren, Hunterdon, Byram and Easton basketball leagues. He played for at least 20 years with the Washington Summer League and was playing pick-up basketball on Tuesdays and Saturdays and a little one-on-one on Sundays, until he was sidelined by a rib bruise about two weeks before his death. Scott's other interests included bridge, which he played regularly for years with three friends. He was a Boston Celtics fan, a disgruntled former NFL Washington Redskins fan as well as a Rangers and Yankees fan. Memberships: Scott was a member of the Warren County Democratic Committee since 1976. Scott's political association with Governor Meyner extended back to his childhood. During the summers of 1974 and 1975 he served internships with Governor Meyner's law firm, Meyner and Landis. He was active in the Hon. Helen Meyner's campaigns for the United States House of Representatives. Survivors:Scott is survived by his sister, Judith A. Thatcher of New York City; an aunt, Kitty Pence and several cousins; his former wife, Anne Tan and a host of friends, teammates and colleagues. Services: Friends may call Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at DeVoe Funeral Service, Inc, 136 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service will be Saturday at 11:00 am at the funeral home. A burial will follow at Montana Cemetery, Harmony NJ. Memorials: Online condolences may be expressed at www.devoefuneral.com. Tributes: Tribute from: Stephen Ciurczak I clerked for the Hon. Amy O'Connor, J.S.C. during the 2006-07 term, and spent every friday afternoon handling landlord / tenant court. Each week, before court proceedings began, and while the much maligned videotape played for those making their first appearance, I would often spend 10-15 minutes chatting with Mr. Thatcher in the hallways of the courthouse. I always looked forward to these encounters as Mr. Thatcher provided a fresh perspective on things. Whether discussing life as an attorney, upcoming proceedings, the weather, sports, Mr. Thatcher's laid-back approach and dry sense of humor were infectious. He always made a point to ask me how I was doing, and seemed genuinely intersted in the answer. He was, stated simply, a great guy. And he will be missed. Tribute from: Bill Timmann Scott you will be surely missed by me and many others, you were both a friend and client. I am very sorry that the Lord took you before your time. It was always a pleasure to have the interesting conversations about various subjects in and around town. I am sorry I was unable to make it to your services but I had to keep the business open that night. I am sure you are in a better place without the earthly worries that confront everyone in todays world. May God have a good place for you and keep you at his hand for your advice and frendship as I had. God bless you. To Family and Friends of Scott Thatcher: Scott was our neighbor and friend for some thirty years. Everyday he would wave or give us a "hi" with small conversation. Even gave the dog a quick rub. Seems we always brought up out parents (who knew each other well) and the old fun opportunities we had over kids today. Enjoyed watching Scott & husband snow plowing out the driveway every winter-never knew who'd be out there first. The other day he was educating my grandson and I on how to repair porch floor. Gave me helpful hints on painting supplies just last week. Imagine a lawyer? Just reminded him to replace lights on the car-he did, and it blew out within days and, I did it again. He was just a wonderful person,I/We feel priviledged to have known Scott and shared these years. He will be sadly missed by us and many more. With Our Sympathy, Maria & Gary Cook Tribute from: Karen Kubert To Scott's family and friends: I knew Scott for over 20 years through my work here in Belvidere. He served on the Warren County Mental Health Board and was a vocal for mental health clients. Scott could always be counted on to give back something to the community; I think he was raised to believe that we should try and help the next guy. I know I'll miss him, through the years we've stayed in touch. He was a wonderful person. Tribute from: Andy (A.J.) Ziray, NHRHS 1969 Just found out about Scott's death. I graduated in 1969 from North Hunterdon, and played many games against him. Two things you didn't want to happen. One was to guard Scott, and the other one was for him to guard you. I got stuck doing both, much to my chagrin. I saw Scott once since H.S. We spoke briefly, and said that we would see each other around. He remembered me, and that shows what kind of person he was. Although we were never close friends, I will miss him, because he was an important part of my past. "HEY Scott, remember in basketball camp back in '68, at Dale Wilson and Ron Burd's, Jackson Valley Basketball camp, Mike Zuk and I got caught setting off fireworks in one of the cabins? We got hauled outside to face the music and were threatened by Dale and Ron to confess to the dirty deed or at 1:00 in the morning, they were going to call our parents to come pick us up. Mike and I confessed although I had nothing to do with it. IT WAS ALL MIKE"S FAULT. Where were you when I needed legal advice?????? We were not sent home, as our parents were not called. Lucky for me!!!". You were a memorable part of my life and I will always remember you for that, always. GOD love you Tribute from: Denise I write to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved one. When the enemy death strikes our grief can be great. It is at times like this that we need comfort, support, and questions answered whether we are acquainted or not. May you find comfort in Almighty God's many promises recorded in his word the Bible. One such promise is found at Job 14: 14 which asked: "If an able bodied man dies, can he live again?" Perhaps you too have wondered the same. Notice the answer found at John 11: 25, here Christ Jesus says: "I am the resurrection and life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, shall live again." Yes, ‘all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out…' as promised at John 5: 28 & 29. You and I have the prospects of seeing our love ones again under the best condition possible, a beautiful Paradise earth; God's original purpose for mankind. All of God's promises will come true, for it is impossible for God to lie. So hold on to your wonderful memories of your beloved one, for he will not be forgotten by you, or Almighty God Jehovah. Once again you have my sincere condolences. Please look up the cited scriptures in your personal copy of the Bible.– Psalms 37:29, Hebrews 6:18. Tribute from: Peter and Traci Washer We are deeply sorry to hear of Scott's passing. We met Scott in 1992. He held a mortgage for us on land that took us 7 years to buy. He ended up being a friend rather than a businessman, and we are better for having known him. If it were not for his unending patience and HUGE heart we would not have the home we have today, and we will FOREVER be grateful to him for it. We will miss his easy going ways, his GREAT, dry sense of humor, and his ability to calm anyone around him, just by being himself. We will miss his always welcomed unexpected visits, (and he never came by empty handed). Our kids will miss his tales of the duck families that lived in his pool every year. Scott would do anything for anyone and was a genuinely good hearted guy. In his own words....."I'll be honest with ya", we will miss him very much! So many smiles and laughs were added to this world by him. We would all be better off if we could learn to roll with the punches like he did. Tribute from: Kim Burd Dear Family of Mr. Thatcher, I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how difficult it is when a loved one passes away. Mr. Thatcher had so many wonderful accomplishments and achievements in his life. What helps me to cope is the scripture at Acts 24:15 because it explains that there will be a resurrection of our dead loved ones in the near future. My condolences go out to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.