Thomas “Tommy” Claude Chatten, 70, of Haverhill, MA, passed away on November 30, 2025, after a brief illness.
Tommy was larger than life—confident, unforgettable, and the kind of person whose presence filled every room he entered. Born in Cambridge, MA, to Frances and Melburn Chatten, he carried his hometown with him wherever he went. He spoke often of the streets where he grew up, the friends who shaped him, and the early days when his passion for basketball first took hold.
That passion led him to Fitchburg State, where he became a standout player. His grit, determination, and scoring ability left a lasting mark on the program he was proud to represent. It was also at Fitchburg State that he met his first wife, Colleen, with whom he shared four children. Anyone who knew him can still hear the excitement in his voice when he reminisced about “the burg” and the years that meant so much to him.
Outside of basketball, Tommy took immense pride in his work as a construction laborer with Local 151. He enjoyed time at the gym and loved riding his motorcycle whenever he could. Later in life, he found joy and peace at Salisbury Beach with friends and with his late wife, Barbara.
In retirement, Tommy discovered a new sense of purpose driving a transportation bus for disabled adults in the Haverhill area. He cherished the people he met, the routines he built, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he served.
In the days before his passing, Tommy was visited by beloved friends and former teammates. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his children, at Lawrence General Hospital.
Tommy is predeceased by his wife, Barbara Chatten. He is survived by his brother, Daniel Chatten, and his wife, Sue, of Tennessee; his children, all of Hopkinton, MA—Kerri Chatten, Thomas M. Chatten and wife Laura, Kellie Kenney and husband Jeremy, and Brian Chatten and wife Jennifer; and a niece and several nephews. He leaves behind ten grandchildren: Madison, Thomas (“Little T”), Jordan, Julia, Cameron, Murphy, Jackson, Micayla, Hayden, and Joseph.
We pray that our dad has found peace and will rest easy.
