Courtland James Hathaway

Courtland James Hathaway, 34, of Syracuse, passed away Wednesday at Crouse Hospital after three and a half years of treatment for cancer. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he was a 2006 graduate of Christian Brothers Academy and received a bachelor's degree from SUNY ESF in 2011. Courtland was employed by National Grid for over seven years. Despite his diagnosis, his positivity and determination led him to live his life to the fullest. This included learning how to fly an airplane, hiking the volcanoes of Hawaii and mountains of the Adirondacks, traveling to experience rocket launches and Formula 1 races, back-country fly-fishing, finishing in the top spots of multiple 5K races, creating beautiful pieces of furniture for friends and family members from his woodshop, winning national recognition in nature photography, tapping trees and evaporating gallons of sap into maple syrup, as well as creating and maintaining a sustainable (and self-installed) solar-powered farm (complete with chickens).

Surviving are his parents, William and Mary "Tish" Hathaway of Syracuse; and brother, William B. (Amy) Hathaway of Ithaca. Special thanks for love and support throughout his life go to his aunt, Cathy; uncle; Rick; and cousins, Nina (Mike) and Nathan (John).

There will be no calling hours.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's & St. Brigid's Church, 216 N. Lowell Ave., Syracuse.

Courtland will be privately laid to rest in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Marcellus.

Around the time of his diagnosis, Courtland discovered a public radio station - KEXP Seattle, whose unofficial mantra, "You are not alone", helped him get through each day. After being diagnosed, he wrote an email to his favorite DJ sharing that, "Despite my struggles, l've had the recurring thought lately that even though my situation is bad, I am so lucky. I have excellent care, great friends and family, and a good job. So many people in this world aren't as lucky, and I am so grateful for what I have."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to KEXP Seattle, www.kexp.org/donate or to the Central New York Land Trust, Inc., 7 Fennell St., Suite 2, Skaneateles, NY 13152.