Obituary of John Elliott Hammel

John Elliott Hammel, a long-time resident of Darien and Rowayton, died on Thursday, March 12 at age 83 from complications of pneumonia. Born on June 16, 1925 on Staten Island, N.Y. to Frank J. Hammel and Dorothy Corrigan Hammel, Mr. Hammel, known as "Jack," graduated early from Tottenville High School to enter an accelerated course of study at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He interrupted his studies to enlist and serve in the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he was stationed in the Philippines, and by age 20 he rose to the rank of Lieutenant JG. After the war, Mr. Hammel returned to Williams College, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1948. His post-graduate work was at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Masters of Business Administration in 1950. He began his career at Sylvania in New York, N.Y. in 1950. In November, 1951, Mr. Hammel married Mary Beatty Sutter, also from Staten Island. The family moved to Darien in 1960, where they raised their seven children. Mr. Hammel worked with GTE/Sylvania in New York City and Stamford, retiring in 1980 as Vice President of Investor Relations. In retirement, Mr. Hammel earned the designation of Certified Financial Planner and began a second career as a financial planner until he fully retired in 1999. His marriage to Mary Sutter Hammel ended in divorce in l981. He married Madelyn Murren in l986 and moved to Mystic, (CT). This marriage ended in divorce in 2000 at which time he moved from Mystic to Rowayton. Mr. Hammel was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and attended weekly mass in Darien, Mystic, and Ludlow, Vt. He worshiped at St. John's Parish in Darien for nearly 50 years. Mr. Hammel's interests included a lifelong love of sailboat racing, first Star sailboats in the ocean off of Staten Island's Richmond County Yacht Club, (where his father served as Commodore), then at Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, where he was an active member for more than 40 years. He enjoyed racing Sonars, Tempests, and Lighting class sailboats. A favorite small craft was named "Black Jack" which reflected his mischievous nature. An avid skier, he owned a second home in Ludlow, VT in the 1970s and early 1980s, and he served as a member of the ski patrol at Stratton Mountain and Okemo Mountain. He instilled a love of sailing and skiing in many of his children and grandchildren. In Darien, he was an advisor to the Explorer Post 53. More recently he enjoyed membership in the Senior Men's Association in Darien. Mr. Hammel is predeceased by his sister Betty Hammel Hall of Staten Island. He is survived by his first wife, Mary S. Hammel of New York City, his second wife, Madelyn Murren, of New London, (CT), his sister, Joan Hammel Goetz, of Staten Island, NY, seven children and 12 grandchildren. Mr. Hammel's children are: Ann Marie Abate, of Mt. Kisco, NY, John Hammel of Warren, VT, Mary Jane Reiss of Phoenicia, NY, Sally Hammel of New York, NY, Frank Hammel of Las Vegas, NV, June Anderson of Rowayton, (CT) and Jim Hammel of Simsbury, (CT). Funeral arrangements have been made by the Lawrence Funeral Home at 2119 Boston Post Road in Darien. A viewing will be held there on Thursday, March 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday, March 20 at 9:00 a.m. at St. John's Parish 1986 Post Road in Darien. A reception will follow. Mr. Hammel will be buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. Donations, in lieu of flowers can be sent to: Hilltop Retirement Homes 212 Rowayton Ave Rowayton, CT 06853 203-866-8447 Contact: Carolyn Fowler The Senior Men's Association of Darien c/o Darien Community Association, Inc. 274 Middlesex Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9050 Intensive Care Unit of Norwalk Hospital 24 Stevens St. Norwalk, CT 06850 203-852-2160 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820