Moment of silence at meeting for Hatley The Packers VP died of a heart attack, an autopsy shows By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle The usually-festive atmosphere at the Green Bay Packers' annual stockholder meeting Wednesday was dampened by the announcement the day before of the death of vice president of football operations Mark Hatley. A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the meeting in Hatley's honor, and several speakers referred to him in their statements to stockholders. The Brown County Medical Examiner's office said Hatley, 54, died of an acute myocardial infarction - heart attack - due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Hatley was found dead at his home in Howard Tuesday morning. Flags at Lambeau Field were at half-staff Wednesday and will remain there through Hatley's funeral, said Packers president Bob Harlan. Harlan said the team would "remember Mark in every way possible." A memorial service will be held Friday in Tulsa, Okla. Harlan says the team was working on plans to charter a plane for everyone connected with the Packers to attend. "He won't be forgotten in a hurry," Harlan said. Harlan said it is too early to discuss what moves the team might make to replace Hatley, who oversaw the pro personnel and college scouting departments. It's head coach Mike Sherman's call, he said. The coach might have to deal with scouting more, Harlan said, but it could reach a point where Sherman might have to reconsider hiring someone for the position. Harlan said one of the reasons Hatley was so valuable was because he worked so well with Sherman. "Mike is so intense all the time; having Mark around made him relax a little bit and have a few laughs at the time he needs them," Harlan said. He said Hatley had shown no signs of ill health. The death is the latest in a string of tragedies affecting the Packers going back to last year and the death of assistant coach Ray Sherman's son in a gun accident. The team has also had to deal with the announcement that Harlan had skin cancer, from which he is recovering; the death of quarterback Brett Favre's father Irv and the death of 1940s team star Tony Canadeo, who later served on the team's executive committee. "We're so public that it probably gets more publicity when it happens to us," Harlan said. The memorial service is being handled by Moore Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st St., Tulsa, OK 74133. No time for Friday's service was listed. The Packers listed Floral Visions of Tulsa as being able to provide arrangements for those not able to attend.